Tesco has announced its plan to reduce hours at 76 of its previously 24-hour stores, meaning that they will now close between midnight and 6am.
The retailer says this move will allow more time for shop staff to replenish shelves, leading to better availability of products and better looking stores when they open each morning.
In a statement today (January 29), it explained that by being responsive to how and when its customers want to shop means that time and resources can be used more efficiently – something that Tesco says will let it pass on savings to shoppers.
Retail Director for Tesco, Tony Hoggett commented, “We’re always thinking about how to serve our customers better in each of our stores and with the growth of online grocery shopping, these stores saw very few customers during the night.
“It makes much more sense for colleagues at those stores to focus on replenishing the shelves instead and making sure they’re fully stocked when they open their doors at 6am.
The new opening hours will come into effect between March 14 and April 11 of this year, but as there will be no other change to night operations in the 76 stores, the impact on workers is expected to be minimal.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Jenny Whelan. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
