Asda could cut 2,500 jobs next year as Sainsbury’s merger looms
The supermarket giant is to start consulting with staff over a potential 2,500 job losses next year
SUPERMARKET giant Asda is to start consulting with staff over 2,500 potential job cuts next year.
Areas of work affected by any changes include petrol, bakery, back office, George, and so-called hosting, the supermarket has confirmed.
A spokesperson for Asda told The Sun: “In a competitive retail market... we must always look at how we can work more quickly and efficiently for them – and inevitably, that means we need to consider changing the roles we need our colleagues to do or the hours needed in particular parts of our stores.
“We believe the proposed changes we are consulting on would allow us to do a better job for our customers.
"We also recognise that discussions about potential change aren’t easy.
"If the decision is taken to implement the proposed changes we would work with our colleagues to look at the potential impact of these proposals on them.”
Asda is currently the subject of a potential deal with rival Sainsbury's.
If the £10billion merger gets the green light it would become the UK's largest supermarket chain.
Asda said the job cut proposals have "absolutely nothing to do with the merger".
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Asda is only the latest retailer to reveal plans for potential job cuts - yesterday Debenhams said it had earmarked up to 50 stores for closure - putting 4,500 jobs at risk.
Two days ago, Gourmet Burger Kitchen also announced plans to close 17 branches, affecting 250 jobs.
Meanwhile, a whopping 250,000 high street jobs are at risk due to the looming £730million business rate hike.
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