3 days ago
Morrisons makes major change to 60 stores as part of restructure
Meat counters at Morrisons are being regenerated to feature largely pre-packed meat, as the group battles to revive its fortunes.
Under the new model, butchers at Morrisons will cut meat at the start of the day into a number of different pre-packed sizes, enabling shoppers to select the cuts they want.
It is the same range as before, but displayed on a flat bed so customers can help themselves, Morrisons told This is Money.
Morrisons claimed the move will help free up butchers' time as they will no longer have to work on creating carefully curated meat displays each day.
While most meat at Morrrisons' counters will be pre-packed, butchers will still be available assist shoppers and to cut meat to a specific size or thickness if required.
Morrisons has set a target of rolling out the new meat counter format to 100 stores by the end of 2025, with around 60 having already been altered.
A Morrisons spokesman told This is Money: 'We are moving at pace with the modernisation of Market Street as part of our Morrisons Magic programme, and following successful trials, we've begun to roll out flatbeds in our butchery departments.
'These showcase the same range, with the freshness and quality that Market Street is renowned for but with a more modern and contemporary look.
'They offer both the convenience of self service for customers that prefer it and the traditional individual service from an in-store butcher.
'Customer reaction has been very positive and we're aiming to have the new look in 100 stores this year.'
The supermarket chain said did a trial of the revived meat counter operation at its store in Retford last year that was 'really well received'.
What is happening at Morrisons?
Morrisons is in the midst of a sweeping cost-cutting drive as chief executive Rami Baitiéh battles to revive the grocer's bottom line.
In March, more than 360 Morrisons staff were told they were at risk of losing their jobs amid changes being made to its operations.
It announced plans to close 17 convenience stores, 52 cafes, 18 market kitchens, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies.
Morrisons, which employs 95,000 workers, said its planned closures were in areas where the costs of operation were significantly out of line with usage.
On Wednesday, Morrisons became the latest major business to warn that it will be forced to accelerate its cost-cutting plans amid Labour's recent national insurance contribution hike for employers.
In the year to 27 October 2024, Morrisons saved £312million in costs. As a result of Rachel Reeve's policy, the grocer's employer national insurance costs will rise by around £75million this year.
The chain reported an underlying EBITDA of £344million in the half to 27 April, up 7.2 per cent year-on-year, bolstered by a 4.2 per cent rise in sales to £3.9billion during its second quarter.
In January, rival Tesco unveiled plans to axe 400 jobs, affecting mangers at its mobile phone shops and in-store bakery staff. In the same month, Sainsbury's announced plans to cut 3,000 jobs and close all in-store cafes.
