Tesco to axe Metro store format in big supermarket shake-up affecting 127 shops
TESCO is preparing to scrap its Metro format and rebrand the 147 branches as either Express or Extra superstores.
Britain’s largest supermarket chain is making the changes due to declining sales at the Metro stores, which are sized between its convenience format Express and its full-size Extra stores.
The rebranding will take place over the summer, with 89 stores to become Tesco Express and the remaining 58 to be superstores.
The grocer began restructuring its Metro store estate in 2019 after sales declined amid tough competition from other retailers.
Staff were informed of the changes yesterday, and there will be no further redundancies on top of the 4,500 jobs cut when the restructure was launched.
No stores are expected to close as a result of the changes, and the sites will remain open as the new fascias are installed over the coming months.
Tesco said the Metro format had originally been launched for customers doing their big, weekly shops.
But now the branches are mainly used as convenience stores, with shoppers popping in to grab food for that day.
A Tesco spokesperson said: “Over the last few years, we have seen our customers’ shopping habits change and we have taken the decision to re-brand all of our Metro stores to better reflect this.
“Our Metro format was originally designed for larger, weekly shops, but today nearly 70% of customers use them as convenience stores, buying food for that day.
“To ensure our offer continues to serve the needs of our customers, 89 of our Metro stores will re-brand as Tesco Express. The remaining 58 Metro stores will have their Metro signage removed and be referred to as Tesco Superstores.”
She added that the changes will not affect customers’ store experience.
Tesco first announced plans to restructure its Metro stores in 2019 in a bid to simplify its shop structure.
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At the time it reduced the number of products kept in its stock room, with more items going straight onto the shop floor.
Staff were also told to work more flexibly across the stores and Tesco axed 4,500 jobs as it slimmed down the management structure.