Waitrose ha announced that it plans to close seven stores.
Three of the stores in Bromley, Oadby and Wollaton are being sold to Aldi, whilst an unnamed party is buying the store in Sandhurst.
Stores located in Marlowe, Stevenage and Heathrow’s Waterside are all set for closure.
All seven of the stores are set to close in autumn.
Waitrose & Partners director of shop trade Mark Gifford said: “We haven’t taken this decision lightly but we have to do what’s right for the business as a whole. Thanks to the hard work of all our partners we’re making good progress and Waitrose & Partners is on track for profit growth this year but, despite the best efforts of everyone involved, we haven’t been able to find a way to make these shops profitable in the long term.”
The 677 affected staff members will now enter a period of consultation.
