Waitrose to close shops and slash jobs

Waitrose is set close another four of its 335 supermarkets, according to media reports.

Stores in Caldicot, Ipswich Corn Exchange and Shrewsbury will close, putting 124 jobs at risk. Another 140 roles in Wolverhampton will transfer to Tesco, which is taking over the site.

“We have found trading challenging in these four shops and, despite the best efforts of partners, we have not been able to find a way to make them profitable in the long-term,” Waitrose said.

Bérangère Michel, the executive director of customer service for Waitrose’s parent group, the John Lewis Partnership, said: “Closing any of our shops is always a last resort and is not a reflection on the dedication of our partners in Caldicot, Ipswich Corn Exchange, Shrewsbury and Wolverhampton.”