Asda is set to outsource all in-store cleaning work to two external firms, impacting 3,500 staff members who will transition to new employers. The retailer confirmed no job losses are anticipated ahead of the shake-up, which promises cleaner toilets, steam-cleaned trolleys and baskets, alongside additional cleaning robots.
Who Will Take Over?
Bidvest will assume responsibility for branches across northern England and Scotland, while NIC Services will manage southern England. All staff affected are expected to be offered transfers to one of the two firms under TUPE regulations (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment).
Timeline and Reaction
Employees were notified of the proposals on Tuesday (August 11), with Asda targeting completion of the transition by October 1. The proposals have sparked fierce opposition from the GMB Union, which has urged Asda to stop the process. The union also alleged it enquired in April whether additional outsourcing was being considered and was informed there was not.
Organiser Rachelle Wilkins said: "Outsourcing companies have a proven track record of slashing pay, terms, conditions and even jobs as soon as they have their feet under the table. Now loyal, hard-working cleaning staff will be worried sick about whether their job will still pay the bills or whether the axe will fall on them. Morale in stores is already at rock bottom. GMB calls on Asda to halt this process now - at least until the other consultations are finished - and consider what is best for its customers and staff."
Asda's Response
David Lepley, chief operating officer at Asda, said: "Our ambition is to deliver the cleanest stores in retail. We continue to review and invest in ways to enhance the customer experience, partnering with industry leaders to deliver the best solutions. This latest investment is another important step in our mission to raise the bar for customers. Having taken the time to learn from others, by partnering with Bidvest and NIC Services we have access to the very latest machinery and cleaning technology."
Other Changes
This follows as Asda will roll out Ocado's smart platform technology across its website and app, in-store picking and its home delivery service, starting from 2027. The deal will not see Asda products listed on the Ocado website - it will instead be used by Asda to upgrade its existing website, increase on-time deliveries and create more delivery slots. Asda fulfils more than 700,000 customer orders weekly and has around 1,100 stores nationwide. Ocado's fulfilment technology is used in more than 1,000 grocery stores globally.
Orders placed through Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats, will be picked by Asda using Ocado's technology and delivered by these fast delivery services as normal. Asda is one of the UK's biggest supermarket chains, with more than 1,100 stores nationwide, and ranks among the country's top six supermarkets by revenue. Overall, Asda is Britain's third-largest supermarket, with an 11.5% share of the grocery market, according to the latest Worldpanel data (at the time of writing).
Most recently, Asda has been stepping up its focus on value, cutting prices on hundreds of everyday essentials while expanding its £1 and £2 ranges. The supermarket has also added more than 400 new food and drink products as part of a wider refresh of its stores. Meanwhile, in July, Asda introduced a new Rewards-linked fuel offer, allowing shoppers spending £40 or more to receive a 5p-per-litre fuel coupon at participating stations.
