Morrisons to close about 100 Morrisons Daily stores in UK

Supermarket chain Morrisons has announced plans to close approximately 100 of its convenience stores across the UK, a move that puts hundreds of jobs at risk. The company stated the closures will affect its own Morrisons Daily outlets, which have been loss-making for several years.

Morrisons attributed the decision to a combination of long-standing underperformance at the selected stores and significant recent cost increases. In a statement, the company said the situation had been exacerbated by cost increases resulting from government policy choices, which have made returning these stores to profitability even more difficult. Executives cited specific pressures including higher employer National Insurance contributions, increases to the minimum wage, and new packaging recycling levies.

All of the stores slated for closure are former McColls outlets, which Morrisons acquired out of administration in 2022. The company said it had undertaken remedial action but that the stores' performance remained challenged. A consultation process with affected employees and unions is set to begin shortly. Morrisons stated it will attempt to redeploy impacted staff into other roles within the...