// Tesco to rebrand Metro stores after a two-year review
// 89 Metros will be rebranded as Tesco Express stores
// The remaining 58 store will become superstores
Tesco is reportedly set to scrap its Metro stores almost two years after launching a review of its stores.
A total of 89 Metros will be rebranded as Tesco Express stores, with the remaining 58 becoming superstores.
The changes, which will be carried out over the next few months, were announced internally to staff yesterday, The Grocer reported.
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In August 2019, Tesco scrapped 4500 jobs after carrying out a major overhaul of Metro.
The overhaul came as Tesco raised concerns about the rise of discounters.
The changes saw a major range rationalisation, as well as cuts to management.
Tesco’s own research shows nearly 70% of its Metros are now being used for top-up shops and food to go, with 31 per cent typically being used for main shops.
The latest announcement comes despite the changes to range and simplification of prices and promotions.
“Over the last few years, we have seen our customers’ shopping habits change and we have taken the decision to rebrand all of our Metro stores to better reflect this,” Tesco said to staff.
“Our Metro format was originally designed for larger, weekly shops, but today nearly 70 per cent of customers use them as convenience stores, buying food for that day.
“To ensure our offer continues to serve the needs of our customers, 89 of our Metro stores will rebrand to Tesco Express.
“The remaining 58 Metro stores will have their Metro signage removed and be referred to as Tesco Superstores.
“These stores will receive new fascias over the coming months but will continue to trade normally.”
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10 Comments. Leave new
Our Tesco Metro changed to Express, now we can’t get the 25% discount when you buy 6 bottles of wine, though it is a big store!
Question is, will the prices in new Express stores increase?
Yes, quite a lot.
Sorry for the late reply but Expressification just happened to my local Tesco Metro – of the items I know last-week’s price of my shop went up 13.7%.
Yes they have, significantly. Its now cheaper on my local high street to buy from the M&S Food Store than Tesco. For example a packet of Pink Lady Apples used to be £2.50 in Tesco and £2.80 in M&S – they are now £3.25 in Tesco. They are shooting themselves in the foot.
Please don’t turn Canterbury in to an Express store as I would not pay Express prices and much reduced choice.
Hope the Canterbury Metro becomes a Superstore as it will be small but it’s hugely busy.
Tesco are doing this across the UK already so no surprises with Northampton replaced by a smaller Express store and in other locations as well including Lowesoft.
Personally, I love the Metro format. Worked very well in places like TW and Canterbury.
I’m surprised they haven’t turned the bigger ones into Jack’s. Would be the perfect size or has Jack’s become a failed venture for them?
I often wondered why they had similar sized stores that were either Express or Metro and why they hadn’t merged. It does make sense in the short game.
David. Exeter Devon
Just an excuse to squeeze more e money out of their customers, my shopping basket has become significantly more expensive.time to look elsewhere.i
Price up between 10-20% for almost everything.
I’ll boicott the expressification.
This will backfire on Tescos in the long run. Losing customers to Iceland and lidls etc serves the greedy so n sos!