Lincolnshire Co-op is consulting with staff over proposed job cuts as it moves to reshape the business for long-term growth.
The independent co-operative, which employs more than 2,770 people across Lincolnshire and surrounding areas, operates more than 200 trading sites spanning food stores, pharmacies, travel branches and funeral homes.
The society said it was “reviewing our ways of working” as it looks to manage rising costs and invest in areas including technology, healthcare and housing.
Proposals include the introduction of more self-service checkouts, electronic shelf edge labels and improved IT systems across its business.
Lincolnshire Co-op is consulting on plans to cut 27 jobs from its pharmacy warehouse in Lincoln, while 52 colleagues at its support centre in the city are also being consulted over proposed changes to their roles.
The retailer said it was working with Usdaw during the consultation period and had been able to reduce the number of compulsory redundancies at the support centre to fewer than 10.
Chief executive Alison Hands said the co-op was facing the same pressures as many other UK businesses.
“Many businesses across the UK are experiencing challenges and Lincolnshire Co-op is not immune,” she said.
“Our costs continue to rise, including significant increases in the National Living Wage and National Insurance, and in the latest half year financial results we reported that our turnover and trading profit are both down.
“This plan includes new technology, such as electronic shelf edge labels and self-checkouts in food stores, and improved IT systems across all our business areas.
“It does mean having to take difficult decisions, including reviewing our ways of working.”
The society has also been reviewing its property portfolio as it looks to free up investment for healthcare and housing.
In May, Lincolnshire Co-op transferred ownership of the Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln to Wykeland Group. It is also marketing other properties it owns as part of the wider changes.
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