Major UK supermarket chain to cut 'hundreds of jobs' in AI restructuring after closing 103 stores

Temie Laleye
Tue, 14 Apr 2026 10:10:42 +0000

Morrisons has revealed plans to slash up to 200 positions at its head office as part of a sweeping artificial intelligence and automation transformation.

Workers were left devastated by the announcement.

The supermarket giant informed employees about the restructuring during meetings held on Monday, with approximately eight per cent of headquarters staff now facing an uncertain future.

A source described the situation as "another round of brutal cuts," adding: "People were leaving in tears. I think it tells people everything they need to know about the current financial situation ahead of the H1 results announcement."

The latest announcements follow last year's overhaul, which included the closure of 52 in-store cafés, alongside convenience stores, florists, meat and fish counters, and pharmacies.

The changes also saw 18 market kitchens, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies shut down.

The supermarket explained these fresh rounds of redundancies will affect roles across its central operations as part of a technology-led overhaul.

Staff in the Marketing, Commercial and Technical teams at the retailer’s Bradford headquarters are understood to be among those at risk.

Employees were called into staggered face-to-face meetings on Monday afternoon before receiving individual emails later that evening.

An insider said the office descended into panic, with managers splitting teams into separate rooms without any prior explanation.

In one session attended by around 50 workers, bosses pointed to rising insurance costs, the cost-of-living crisis and increased fuel prices linked to the Middle East conflict as factors behind the decision.

A long-serving employee told The Sun: "People left the meetings in tears and lots went home afterwards. Everyone was left shaken up."

The worker added that the announcement had come "out of nowhere" and affected colleagues across all pay grades, regardless of their length of service.

A Morrisons spokesperson confirmed the company had embarked on a long-term programme during 2025 to restructure parts of its operations.

The retailer said the initiative aims to focus on activities customers value most, simplify internal processes and harness data and AI technology to boost performance.

"This multi-year programme will ensure our central functions are better placed to serve our stores and strengthen our ability to deliver for customers in the current very challenging market conditions," the spokesperson stated.

A formal consultation process with affected employees has now begun, with the company pledging to help workers find alternative positions within the business where possible.

The job losses represent the second wave of redundancies at Morrisons within just a few weeks, following cuts to the convenience buying team last month.

The supermarket has been grappling with significant financial pressures stemming from its 2021 private equity acquisition, with analysts highlighting concerns about mounting debts and rising borrowing costs.

These latest cuts follow a broader restructuring programme that has already seen the retailer announce closures of 103 stores, cafés, florists and pharmacies.

That earlier shake-up put 365 jobs at risk, with 52 in-store cafés, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists and dozens of meat and fish counters earmarked for closure.