Trouble in store: Morrisons axes 2,600 jobs

STRUGGLING supermarket chain Morrisons has revealed plans to axe about 2,600 jobs in a shake-up of its management structure.

Morrisons is understood to have been running trials of the new management system for 12 months

The grocer, which saw its first-quarter sales slide by 7.1 per cent, said the cuts were aimed at “reducing in-store management tiers, simplifying responsibilities and improving customer service”.

Morrisons is understood to have been running trials of the new management system for 12 months and a spokeswoman said workers “appreciated the clearer lines of responsibility”.

Chief executive Dalton Philips said: “We know that moving to the new management structure will mean uncertainty for our colleagues and we will be supporting them through the process.”

Joanne McGuinness at the Usdaw union said: “Our priority will be to safeguard as many jobs as possible, maximise employment within the business and get the best possible outcome for our members affected by this restructuring.”