Morrisons, the UK supermarket giant, has confirmed plans to cut approximately 200 positions at its Bradford headquarters, a move that will impact nearly 10% of the staff at Hilmore House. The company, which employs around 96,000 people nationwide, has initiated a consultation process with affected employees.
"As we evolve and adapt, we are proposing to make some changes to a number of areas within our central structure," a Morrisons spokesperson stated. "This will involve making some tough but necessary decisions which will impact on colleagues in our head office, where we are proposing to place a number of roles at risk of redundancy."
The job reductions are part of a broader restructuring effort that includes increased automation through artificial intelligence. The spokesperson added that the firm plans to automate various manual tasks as part of a long-term overhaul of central business operations that began last year.
Morrisons has committed to supporting affected staff, including assistance in finding alternative roles within the company where possible. "We understand this will be difficult news for these colleagues and will be offering them our full support," the spokesperson emphasized.
The announcement comes just one month after Morrisons reported continued sales growth, despite acknowledging ongoing challenges for consumers. The retailer has pledged further investment in pricing strategies to support shoppers during what it describes as a "tough" economic climate.
This restructuring at the Bradford-based headquarters marks a significant shift in the supermarket's operational strategy as it navigates evolving market demands and technological advancements.