Get you up to speed: Morrisons to close 100 stores across the UK this year | News UK
Morrisons will close approximately 100 of its convenience stores, specifically the Morrisons Daily chain, across the UK over the coming months. This move is expected to affect hundreds of jobs, as these stores have been identified as loss-makers following a performance review.
Morrisons is consulting with hundreds of staff impacted by the upcoming closure of approximately 100 convenience stores, which are expected to shut over the next few months. The chain’s review has identified these stores as loss-makers, exacerbated by significant recent cost increases linked to government policies.
Morrisons confirmed plans to close approximately 100 of its Daily convenience stores in response to ongoing performance challenges, with hundreds of jobs affected as consultations for impacted staff begin. The company, which emphasised a need to focus on viable locations, noted that the closures are driven by long-term losses exacerbated by rising costs linked to government policies.
What remains unclear — The specific number of jobs affected by the closures has not been disclosed.
Morrisons to close around 100 convenience stores in the UK this year
Morrisons will close around 100 of its convenience stores in another hit to the UK high street.
The supermarket group’s company-owned Daily chain of shops are expected to shut over the next few months with hundreds of jobs affected.
According to The Grocer, the Morrisons Daily stores marked for closure are ‘the most challenged’ and loss-makers.
All Morrisons Daily stores are former McColl’s outlets, which were acquired by the firm back in 2022.
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Morrisons is currently consulting affected staff, according to reports.
The chain hires around 95,000 people and has around 1,700 convenience shops and 500 supermarkets.
It has also shut cafes, florists and fresh food counters in the past year.
A spokesperson for Morrisons confirmed the closures to WTX, adding that the ‘expansion of the company’s Convenience business is ‘a core part’ of Morrisons’ growth strategy.’
They said: ‘The performance of all company owned stores across our Convenience business is subject to continuous review.
‘This process has identified a number of stores, which were part of the McColl’s acquisition, whose performance has been challenged for a number of years and which are loss making, despite remedial action.’
‘This situation has been exacerbated in more recent years by significant cost increases resulting from Government policy choices,’ the spokesperson added.
‘Having completed the review, we are now proposing to take the tough but necessary decision to close a number of these stores over the next few months.’
‘The combination of the proposed closure of loss making stores and the continued addition of attractive new franchise openings will enable us to concentrate on those stores which work best for customers’.
What other high street closures have there been?
Dozens of high street shops, restaurants, and banks have been affected by closures this month.
Quiz Clothing fell into administration, while Poundstretcher warned it could be forced to file for administration.
Modella Capital suggested up to 150 former WHSmith shops could close under restructuring plans.
Restaurant chain Franco Manca confirmed it would close 16 of its chains across the UK while its sister restaurant The Real Greek announced nine closures.
Around 200 Brewers Fayre and Beefeater restaurants, all operated by Premier Inn owner Whitbread, were announced to close.
Santander confirmed 27 branch closures for this month with more to follow by the end of the year.
NatWest planned to shut 15 branches this month, and Lloyds Banking Group revealed it would shut several branches across the UK, including two major London locations.
Chains like GAME, The Original Factory Shop, Claire’s Accessories, and Poundland have closed stores this year.