Woolworths Will Shut 250 Retail Butcher Shops.
- Jan. 23, 2023
- FMCG HORECA BUSINESS
Woolworths has announced that it would shut down 250 of its in-store grocery butchers by March, as shoppers continue to choose prepackaged meat.
ABC was informed that a recent analysis of the company's in-store butcher shops revealed that they account for just 4% of meat sales as consumers continue to choose more convenient pre-packaged products.
"We regret this decision's effect on the team members who work in our butcher shops, of whom many are well-known to our frequent clients."
After March, just 50 outlets will stay open throughout Australia to meet "necessary" demand. To decrease on-site meat processing, bandsaws and mincers will be eliminated from the remaining stores.
About 489 positions will be eliminated, including 420 trade-qualified butchers and 69 non-trade employees.
Other in-store service counters, including deli, seafood, and bakery, will continue to operate.
