'Thousands of jobs at risk' as Asda looks at cuts

Asda has launched consultations with around 5,000 staff over a major restructuring which could put around 3,000 back office store workers at risk.

The supermarket giant said the restructuring has been driven by the “structural shift” towards online grocery shopping during the pandemic.

The move comes weeks after the Lancashire-based billionaire Issa brothers and private equity backer TDR Capital agreed a £6.8 billion deal for the supermarket chain.

The takeover is still awaiting approval from competition regulators, so the new owners are yet to take control of Asda’s operations.

The grocery firm said it also plans to create around 4,500 separate jobs in its online operations this year and will look to hire staff impacted by the potential cuts.