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Waitrose warns of job cuts if flexible hours are not met

By Nithya Bose in UK Business News, posted September 8, 2023

Waitrose is urging its employees to accept flexible working hours, warning job losses could occur if they resist.

The move is part of Waitrose's "Simpler Shops" initiative to enhance productivity and cost-efficiency.

Waitrose has been losing market share during the cost-of-living crisis, as shoppers prefer cheaper alternatives Aldi and Lidl.

Tina Mitchell, Retail Director at Waitrose, emphasised the need for "sacrifices and compromises" from some partners as the company strives to streamline its operations.

She added: “Unless we change how we work, there’s a real danger that the partnership won’t exist in the form that we want it to in the future.”

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She said Waitrose was working to have “the right amount of partners doing the right tasks at the right time.”

It's because the shopping patterns change, like maintaining enough staff on the sales floor during peak times.

The premium grocer recently introduced its lunchtime meal deal, offering a main, side, and drink for £5.

This addition to its food-to-go selection aligns it with competitors like Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Morrisons, which already provide similar lunch deals.

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