Sainsburys restructure puts around 300 jobs at risk as sainsburys reshapes tech, Argos and store leadership
sainsburys has begun a restructure affecting technology, data, store leadership and its Argos business that could put around 300 roles at risk across its workforce of roughly 140, 000 colleagues. The changes form part of the retailer’s Next Level strategy as it enters year three and pursue previously announced cost savings.
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Scope of job risk: about 300 roles across Sainsbury's and Argos and workforce size
The planned restructure could result in around 300 roles being reduced across Sainsbury's and Argos out of a total workforce of around 140, 000 colleagues. Most of the impact is expected to fall on the technology and data division as the group reorganises those teams.
Technology and data reorganisation: one Argos team, two Sainsbury's teams and a business intelligence hub
The retailer will reorganise its technology and data functions into one dedicated team for Argos and two dedicated teams for Sainsbury's. Routine reporting tasks will be consolidated into a new business intelligence hub designed to free colleagues to focus on more insight-led and commercially focused work.
The changes align with the Next Level strategy, launched in February 2024, under which the group set a target of £1bn in cost savings over the following three-year period as it enters year three of that plan.
Argos leadership board, delivery overhaul and driver contracts
The group is creating a dedicated board for Argos to be led by Graham Biggart in his managing director role and overseen by the Sainsbury's operating board. It will also evolve the Argos delivery model by restructuring local fulfilment centre teams and reducing the amount of overtime across its driver network while increasing the use of standard shift contracts.
Those delivery changes are intended to keep the Argos delivery network and its same-day home delivery service efficient, smooth and reliable. The company also said jobs were not at risk among the delivery driver workforce.
Sainsburys store leadership changes, previous cuts and wider retail context
To reflect different shopping missions, the group will create four new regional store director roles dedicated solely to convenience: one in the north, one in central and two in the south, aiming to give supermarkets a clearer leadership line and help both formats respond faster to feedback and sharpen execution.
Earlier actions under the Next Level plan have included reallocating space to create more space for food by taking space previously used for general merchandise and clothing, a range improvement programme across the convenience estate, and significant changes to the operating board to strengthen customer experience, technology, commercial and sustainability leadership.
The announcement follows earlier large-scale reductions: the group announced in January last year it would cut more than 3, 000 jobs, including about 20% of senior management roles, while also shutting its remaining 61 cafes. The move comes amid wider sector activity that this week saw one rival retailer announce plans to cut 180 roles in a head office shake-up and another online retail business announce cuts totalling about a fifth of its workforce.
Recent disappointing trading figures for Argos have fuelled speculation about its future, after the business was the target of an approach by Chinese firm JD. com last autumn. The group said the changes are being made "given the strong progress Argos is making on its More Argos, More Often plan and the scale of the opportunity in general merchandise. " A Sainsbury's spokesperson added: "As we gear up for year three of our Next Level plan, we're strengthening our focus behind both Sainsbury's and Argos. By maximising the power of our data and technology, we're freeing up our teams to concentrate on what matters most – delivering great food, brilliant service and fantastic value for our customers. "
