Cafes cut
Morrisons cuts services ahead of new ‘trolley war’
Morrisons is following Sainsbury’s by axing some of its non-core or least profitable services in what is seen as the start of a new price war among the big supermarket operators.
The Bradford-based business is taking action after being has been overtaken in 2022 by German group Aldi as Britain’s fourth largest supermarket chain.
It is closing 52 in-store cafés, 18 market kitchens, 17 convenience stores, 13 florists, 35 meat counters, 35 fish counters and four pharmacies.
In January, Sainsbury’s announced more than 3,000 job cuts and the closure of all its remaining cafés as it tackles rising costs following the October budget.
Rami Baitiéh, Morrisons chief executive, said: “The changes are a necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons and enable us to focus our investment into the areas that customers really value and that can play a full part in our growth.”
Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said the move seems designed to re-focus around the core offering, heralding a new “trolley war”.
She added that Morrisons was taking defensive action in the face of increased competition.
“The supermarket chain is closing services seen as nice-to-have, but not essential, and scaling back its convenience footprint as it readies for a round of cost-cutting from rivals.
“Morrison’s clearly wants to free up cash to be as value-focused as possible as an intense period of competition is forecast, which follows a similar move by Sainsbury’s earlier this year, as the grocer refocused on improving its core offerings and closed cafes and more counters to streamline the business.”
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Please don’t close the fresh counters, meat,fish,flowers etc. Use these all the time
Not to appear overly controversial but rather than putting staff who need the wage on the dole line, save enough to keep the staff by sacking the CEO and vice CEO whom are, in all reality, not really required.
I shop at Morrisons purely because of the Deli, fish, meat and hot food counters, only shop to still have these. ALWAYS end up spending more. Personally I think this is a bad move. I was gutted when the closed the little Barista bar, loved having a hot drink and piece of cake before going through the checkouts, sadly that’s gone too.
We shop in morrisons mainly because of the fresh meat and fish counters, if they go from our local store we’ll be shopping elsewhere
Even though I do a weekly online shop I go to Morrisons Saturdays for my fresh food and enjoy a meal in the cafe with my daughter who takes us as we are disabled. She spends over £200 each week.Poor move Morrisons.
The fresh fish, meat,deli and bakery are a massive pull for customers. It separates you from the everything pre packaged shops.
These and your anazing staff are the greatest assets you have. Maybe you should look not just at how much people spend at these but all the other things they have bought when they bought from the counters
I spend about £150 per week at Morrisons primarily because of the meat and fish counters. If they go, so do I!
I worked for Tesco for 35 years now retired still receive 10% discount but I shop in Morrisons for fish meat and bakery. You are different. This is the wrong move
Morrisons fish is the best, they should be ashamed of themselves.
I spend about £100 per week in Morrisons and i moved there from Tesco and Asda because they both closed their fish counters. Morrisons seems set to go the same way and sadly, i will move again.
Love Morrison’s, especially fresh meat and fish counters, friendly and helpful staff, lots of variety to choose from and good bargains to be had on everyday items.
Morrisons in Largs is closing its cafeteria. M & S are opening a food outlet 300 yds from Morrisons. Morrisons have to do more by making changes to compete. It should start by reducing the queues at checkout. M & S here I come.
Only reason i used Morrisons was because of its fresh meat and meat counters…
Won’t be back..
Sorry..