Sainsburys puts around 300 roles at risk in major restructure
sainsburys is set to put around 300 jobs at risk as it restructures its technology and data teams, overhauls store leadership and reshapes the Argos business, on Feb. 26, 2026. The changes form part of the group’s Next Level strategy as it enters the plan’s third year.
Sainsburys and Argos put around 300 jobs at risk
The supermarket said the reorganisation could reduce roughly 300 roles across Sainsbury’s and Argos from a total workforce of around 140, 000 colleagues. Most of the reductions will fall within its technology and data division as the business moves to create one dedicated technology and data team for Argos and two teams for Sainsbury’s.
How the company will change its tech, data and reporting
The overhaul includes consolidating routine reporting into a new business intelligence hub intended to free colleagues to focus on insight-led and commercially focused work. A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “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. ”
New leadership for convenience stores and a dedicated Argos board
Store leadership will be updated with four new regional store director roles dedicated solely to convenience: one in the north, one in central and two in the south. The group is also creating a dedicated board for Argos, to be led by Graham Biggart in his managing director role and overseen by Sainsbury’s operating board.
Argos delivery revamp and driver shifts
Changes to Argos’s delivery model include restructuring local fulfilment centre teams and cutting the amount of overtime across the driver network by increasing the use of standard shift contracts. the moves aim to keep the Argos delivery network and its same-day home delivery service efficient, smooth and reliable. The firm also said jobs were not at risk among the delivery driver workforce.
Where this sits in Sainsbury’s wider Next Level plan
The package of changes comes as the retailer enters the third year of its Next Level strategy, which launched in February 2024 and included a target of £1bn in cost savings over a three-year period. Earlier steps under the plan have included reallocating space in stores to create more room for food, a range improvement programme across convenience stores, and changes to the operating board to strengthen leadership across customer experience, technology, commercial and sustainability.
Recent context for the sector was also referenced: the group announced last January that it would cut more than 3, 000 jobs, including about 20% of senior management roles and the closure of its remaining 61 cafes. The supermarket’s move follows sector-wide cost reductions, with Tesco unveiling plans to cut 180 roles and retail tech firm Ocado announcing plans that would affect about a fifth of its workforce.
Daily coverage notes have also linked the Argos overhaul to wider speculation about the chain’s future after an approach by JD. com last autumn and references to Argos’s “More Argos, More Often” plan; the group has said the changes reflect the “scale of the opportunity in general merchandise. ”
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The immediate outcome of the restructure will be formal consultation where roles are at risk, and the company has said the reorganisation is intended to sharpen execution across formats. Sainsbury’s enters year three of Next Level as the changes roll out and the group continues to implement its cost and structural priorities under that plan.
