Cafe closures threaten 2,000 jobs at Sainsbury’s Business

Around 2,000 jobs are at risk after Sainsbury’s revealed plans to close 200 in-store cafes.

The supermarket told staff it plans to close most cafes in its supermarkets next month, affecting around 2,000 jobs.

He said 67 Sainsbury’s cafes would remain open while he reviewed the estate, and staff would be given priority for vacancies in other parts of the business.

The closures are part of a wider upheaval in stores, with Sainsbury’s set to open more Starbucks cafes and food halls.

The retailer will open 30 more Starbucks stores in its supermarkets next year and 30 more “The Restaurant Hubs”. They sell food and drink from chains such as Carluccio’s and Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said: “We have learned that we can provide customers with a much better dining and takeaway experience by working with partners.”

He said the decision to close the cafes had been ‘difficult’, adding: ‘We understand this is very upsetting for our colleagues, but we need to continue to adapt our business to ensure we provide customers with the best food and the best drinks possible at affordable prices. .”

It comes as supermarket chains grapple with rising costs from higher energy bills and logistics charges, and seek to entice customers back into stores after many have turned to shopping online during closures.

Less than a year ago, Sainsbury’s cut hundreds of jobs at its head office to invest more money in its core food operations and to bolster its online sales. This restructuring eliminated 500 office positions. It had previously cut 3,500 jobs after closing meat and fresh fish counters.

Sainsbury’s said on Tuesday that, as part of planned changes, it would make changes to its bakeries in 54 stores in a move expected to affect a small number of workers.

It will also close less popular hot food counters in 34 stores.

Sainsbury’s said it was starting a consultation for affected workers and looking to redeploy them elsewhere in the stores.