By Michael Susin
Tesco PLC said Tuesday that it will lay off around 2,100 jobs, including 1,750 lead managers across its large stores following a major new management structure roll out.
The U.K. grocer said it will cut the lead and team managers to introduce 1,800 new shift leader roles across its larger superstores and extra stores. These leaders will be responsible to day-to-day operational duties on the shop floor.
"We are supporting colleagues impacted by these changes, who will have the option of moving into shift leader vacancies with financial support or taking redundancy," it said.
The company added that it will close its remaining counters and hot delis from Feb. 26 due to the significant decrease in demand for its counters over the last few years.
Amid other changes, Tesco will close eight pharmacies, reduce hours within some post offices, remove a small number of roles in different functions of head office and close the Tesco Maintenance National Operating Centre (NOC) in Milton Keynes.
"Taking into account all the localized changes, we expect this to impact around 350 roles across the business," it added.
Shares at 1259 GMT were down 1.3 pence, or 0.5%, at 246.3 pence.
Write to Michael Susin at michael.susin@wsj.com