Tesco to run trial that will make major change to select smaller stores
The supermarket is running a trial that could impact shoppers
Some Tesco stores will potentially be operating at reduced hours. In a new trial, select Express stores will be closing one hour earlier than usual.
The largest UK supermarket chain's smaller convenience stores are often open from around 6am to 11pm, although the firm has confirmed that some of them will now be closing at 10pm.
While it is unclear what branches have been affected by the move, it has been reported that employees have been told that the trial will be taking place in the least busy stores, according to the Independent.
A spokesperson for Tesco confirmed to The Daily Record that, while the changes are "not visible to customers", they would be making "tweaks" to some of the store operations to ensure that they are being run "in the most efficient way".
It is understood that the move will not result in any colleagues being made redundant, alongside no change in how the affected Express stores will be branded.
However, the supermarket has highlighted that it always talks to its colleagues and will "take into account any individual circumstances", especially if they are required to transfer to a different store.
A Tesco spokesperson told the Daily Record: "Our Express format is a strong and growing business, providing great value and convenience for customers on their doorstep.
"In a small number of stores, we are trialling some tweaks to our operational routines to make things simpler for our colleagues and to ensure that we are running these shops in the most efficient way.
"These changes aren't visible to our customers, who will continue to receive the same great service they expect, and there are no changes to the range of products we sell."
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The new trial comes after it was reported that Tesco would be looking to make a £500 million cut to help "offset higher operation costs."
Chief Executive Ken Murphy has said that the decision was made partly because of the recent tax hikes announced by chancellor Rachel Reeves that came into effect in April.
Other contributing factors the firm was said to warn of include price rises and inflation as a result of increase in employer's national insurance contributions (NICs).
According to the Retail Gazette, Tesco is said to have had £235 million in added costs due to the NICs that the government recently announced.
In other Tesco related news, we recently reported that the supermarket would be bringing back an extremely popular beer from the 90s that was discontinued in 2003.
The supermarket is set to stock the once beloved Double Diamond that was recently brought back to UK pubs last year - although none of them are based in Scotland.
With an ABV of 3.8 per cent, Tesco's version of the pale ale has been made from a new recipe that features Citra, Colombus and Mosaic hops.
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