Asda considers 2,500 job cuts amid tough retail market

Asda is to consult staff on changes to its business that could result in 2,500 job losses next year.

The grocer said it needed to consider changing employees’ roles and working hours.

Asda, owned by US retail giant Walmart, has agreed to be taken over by rival Sainsbury’s, a proposed merger which is currently the subject of an inquiry by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Asda said it was planning the changes because of the “competitive retail market”.

The company said: “In a competitive retail market, where customers rightly expect great value and ease of service, 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.”

The GMB union, which represents Asda workers, said it would “fight tooth and nail for every single job”.