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Tesco is reportedly looking to close a selection of its convenience-format stores an hour earlier than usual, according to The Telegraph.
This potential change is said to be due to a £235m increase in staff costs following adjustments to National Insurance contributions, which came into effect in April.
As a result, the supermarket chain is eyeing its Express stores for the shorter opening hours trial. These stores would close at 10pm instead of the standard 11pm.
It is understood from The Telegraph that the retailer operates with a reduced number of employees present during store hours.
What’s more, shorter working hours will also be trialled in a limited selection of Tesco’s lower-performing stores, retail employees have been told.
A Tesco spokesperson told The Telegraph: “The changes will make things simpler for our colleagues and to ensure that we are running these shops in the most efficient way.
“These changes aren’t visible to our customers, who will continue to receive the same great service they expect, and there are no changes to the range of products we sell.”
As well as attempting to offset the added NICs costs, companies are now also paying a tax equivalent to 15% of their employees’ salary – spelling a rise from 13.8%. The tax threshold has also slipped from £9,100 to £5k.
Tesco has been approached for comment.
