Tesco is reportedly set to scrap the remaining butcher and fishmonger counters in 279 stores as customers opt for pre-packed items as a result of the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
The supermarket giant is currently the only member of the Big 4 grocers to still offer fresh food.
This comes as earlier this year, Tesco announced over 300 fresh food counters will close as a result of changing customer habits.
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However, according reports, bosses are now considering to close all remaining food counters as part of a new cost-cutting drive. The move could lead to hundreds of job losses, on top of the hundreds already axed in the first round.
A Tesco spokesman declined to comment on the claim.
The move comes as research by retail analytics firm IGD claim that less than one in ten of shoppers visited supermarket fresh food counters in the final three months of 2021.
“I would view it negatively, because it is withdrawing from an area of business – service – where British supermarkets could offer true differentiation.
“But if you are going to do something in retail, you need to do it well – and doing it in a mediocre fashion, simply as an excuse to charge higher prices, will just result in the sort of reaction from shoppers that we have seen.”
He added: “There is definitely a market for fresh food, and during the cost of living crisis I think we are going to see people eating out less and cooking from home more often, so the kind of variety these counters can offer may be something that is more in demand.
“But you need to believe in your offer and put investment behind it. Tesco is never going to outprice Aldi and Lidl, so you need to give customers a reason to shop with you.”
The news comes as Tesco has launched a dedicated section across its Express stores for “easily forgotten” Christmas items.
Grocery Gazette has contacted Tesco for further comment.
1 Comment. Leave new
I can remember when it’s was cheaper to buy from the fresh food /deli counter, than to buy prepacked.