Morrisons Restructures: Major Cafe and Store Closures Amidst Increased Competition

Supermarket chain Morrisons has announced the closure of 52 cafes and 17 convenience stores, impacting hundreds of jobs as part of a broader strategy to redirect funds into more critical areas of the business. The closures will include in-store services such as meat and fish counters, and all market kitchens, with approximately 365 employees facing redundancy, though many others are expected to be redeployed. The affected stores feature a mix of Morrisons Daily convenience locations and in-store cafes, notably in major cities like London, Glasgow, and Leeds.

The decision comes in the wake of intense competition, particularly from discount rivals such as Aldi and Lidl, forcing Morrisons to reassess its offerings. CEO Rami Baitiéh emphasized that these cuts are necessary for the company’s growth and focus on customer-valued services. Observers note that similar trends have surfaced in the retail industry, with rivals like Sainsbury’s also shuttering coffee shops due to declining use. As the market continues to press on margins, Morrisons aims to refocus its investments in response to consumers’ demand for value amidst competitive pressures.