Asda has asked staff to return to the office a minimum of three days per week and had made job cuts in head office.
The supermarket revealed the news in an internal email yesterday (5 November), with the changes impacting over 5,000 office staff members across three areas in Leeds and Leicester, effective from January.
In a message to staff, Lord Rose explained the grocery giant was making office attendance compulsory at the George House site in Leicester and Asda House and Britannia House offices in Leeds, in a bid to strengthen Asda’s position for 2025.
Additionally, Rose said the supermarket was cutting a large number of head office roles, in efforts to “remove duplication and simplify structures”.
However, the chain refused to confirm how many staff members were being let go, The Telegraph reported.
Related Story
Rose said: “Change is never easy and is unsettling, but the executive team believe it is necessary to enter 2025 in a stronger position, fully focused on serving our customers, delivering our ambitions and driving long-term growth.”
Commenting on its home-working policy, a spokesman for the retailer also said: “This approach brings us in line with our competitors and the wider market, allowing us to build high-performing teams with a collaborative culture and respond to what our business needs the most.
“The change is effective from January 2025 to allow time for all colleagues to make any necessary arrangements.”
It comes after the chain’s former boss warned Asda was “not where it should be” in September, following its buyout by private equity firm TDR Capital and the Issa brothers.
Walmart’s ex international boss Judith McKenna, who led the grocer’s £6.8bn sale in 2021, admitted the supermarket chain’s recent struggles “hurt my heart”.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
