Grocer Morrisons has put nearly 700 jobs at risk as a result of its move to introduce automated cash-handling technology in its back offices, it has emerged today.
Part of a strategy to allow the chain to compete with the increasing digital focus of rivals, the move also aims to reduce costs.
According to The Independent, Morrisons is currently in consultation with some 689 cash office managers regarding a proposed bid to remove these roles across its portfolio of stores.
Simplifying its cash handling processes will lead to heavy job losses though the supermarket is working to move staff to other store positions where possible.
Although conspicuous in its absence from the multichannel space, Morrisons recently announced that it has entered talks with online grocer Ocado to use its technology to aid the launch of an online grocery channel amid falling profit.
Profit-before-tax dropped 7.1 per cent in the year ended February 3rd 2013 while like-for-like sales fell 2.1 per cent.
