Morrisons has announced plans to close 100 outlets over the next few months, putting hundreds of jobs at risk. The supermarket said the move is a response to rising operating costs, including higher National Living Wage rates and increased employer National Insurance contributions introduced by the Government. Among the affected sites are seven locations, including stores in York and the North East.
Reasons Behind the Closures
Morrisons described the decision to close underperforming convenience stores as difficult but necessary as part of its wider cost-saving strategy. The retailer has also said it will try to redeploy as many affected employees as possible into alternative roles within the business.
On the mass closure of its stores, Morrisons said: "The performance of all company-owned stores across our Convenience business is subject to continuous review. Having completed the review, we are now proposing to take the tough but necessary decision to close a number of these stores over the next few months."
The statement continued: "This process has identified a number of stores, which were part of the McColl's acquisition, whose performance has been challenged for a number of years and which are loss-making, despite remedial action."
Marks & Spencer Café Closures
Meanwhile, another retail giant, Marks & Spencer, is set to close 14 in-store cafés across England and Scotland this summer. The retailer said the closures are part of an ongoing restructuring programme aimed at expanding product ranges and enhancing the overall shopping experience for customers.
Marks and Spencer regional manager, Katie Whelan, said: "We are re-purposing the café space in-store to provide more product choice and improve the shopping experience. We understand this will be disappointing news for some of our customers; however, our teams will continue working hard to serve them in-store."
Full List of Affected Stores
Morrisons Daily stores confirmed for closure
- Fairfax Avenue, Hull
- Esk Close, Guisborough
- Zetland Road, Loftus
- Stokesley High Street, Middlesbrough
- Queen Street, Redcar
- Middle Street, South Driffield
- Woodthorpe, York
M&S cafés closing
- Crawley, West Sussex
- Dunblane, Stirling, Scotland
- Congleton, Cheshire
- Stone, Staffordshire
- Anlaby, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
- Martlesham Heath, Ipswich
- Bidston Moss, Cheshire
- Bishop Auckland, Durham
- South Aylesford, Kent
- Strood Retail Park, Kent
- Whitstable, Kent
- Canterbury, Kent
- Sittingbourne Retail Park, Kent
