Supermarket giant Morrisons has announced a sweeping round of store closures across the UK, marking one of its most significant restructuring efforts in recent years. The company confirmed it will shutter more than 100 sites, including cafés, convenience stores, and in-store counters, as part of its strategy to cut costs and focus more tightly on its core supermarket operations.
Morrisons Store Closures UK: What’s Happening
According to a statement from Morrisons CEO Rami Baitiéh, the decision to proceed with extensive Morrisons store closures comes after an internal review revealed that certain services and locations were no longer financially viable. “These closures are a necessary part of our plans to renew and reinvigorate Morrisons, allowing us to focus our investment on areas that customers truly value,” said Baitiéh.
The closures will affect:
- 17 Morrisons Daily stores
- 51 in-store cafés
- 18 Market Kitchen hot-food counters
- 13 florists
- 4 in-store pharmacies
- 35 meat and 35 fish counters
While some employees will be redeployed, others unfortunately face redundancy as part of the restructuring plan.
Why Morrisons Is Closing Stores
The Morrisons store closures UK announcement reflects the broader challenges facing the retail sector, with rising wages, higher business rates, and soaring operational expenses tightening margins. Many of the targeted sites had declining footfall and underperformed relative to newer store formats and e-commerce channels.
The company emphasized that the closures would affect a small percentage of its total operations, but they form part of a larger move to streamline services and focus on digital growth, online delivery, and competitive pricing.
Industry analysts have noted that this mirrors similar strategies from rivals like Tesco and Sainsbury’s, both of which have scaled back on non-core services such as fresh counters and in-store cafés.
Full List of Affected Stores
The full list of locations slated for closure includes Morrisons cafés and stores in Aberdeenshire, West Lothian, Greater London, West Yorkshire, West Midlands, and Buckinghamshire, among others. Areas like Leeds, Glasgow, Portsmouth, and London will see multiple closures.
In several of these stores, the retailer plans to partner with third-party brands to replace shuttered cafés and counters, allowing Morrisons to maintain some level of customer service without directly managing the operations.
The Bigger Picture: A Shift in Retail Strategy
The move signals a shift toward a leaner, more digital-first business model. Morrisons aims to strengthen its online grocery platform and expand discount offerings, recognizing the growing competition from Aldi, Lidl, and Asda’s value ranges.
This transformation comes at a time when many UK supermarkets are reassessing how best to adapt to changing consumer habits. Customers are increasingly shopping online or opting for quick, low-cost convenience, forcing traditional supermarkets to rethink how physical space is used.
According to the Evening Standard’s analysis, many of the affected Morrisons store closures UK involve outlets that struggled to sustain profitability due to location, footfall, or operational costs that outweighed customer demand.
Impact on Employees and Local Communities
The closures will impact hundreds of employees across the country. While Morrisons has pledged to redeploy staff wherever possible, unions and local councils have expressed concern about job losses and the effect on communities where the stores serve as essential local amenities.
Some towns will lose their only full-service Morrisons café or Market Kitchen, leading to worries about accessibility and local economic activity. However, the retailer has reaffirmed that its goal is not to retreat from communities but to refocus resources into areas with stronger customer engagement.
What’s Next for Morrisons
Despite the Morrisons store closures, the company remains one of the UK’s largest supermarket chains, operating hundreds of supermarkets and convenience outlets nationwide. Its leadership insists that the changes will enable it to build a stronger, more sustainable business for the future.
Analysts predict that this strategic downsizing could free up capital for digital investment, price competitiveness, and store refurbishments — key factors in the battle to maintain market share amid rising living costs.
Conclusion
The Morrisons store closures UK reflect a pivotal moment for the retailer as it navigates an increasingly challenging supermarket landscape. By closing underperforming sites and redirecting investment toward core strengths, Morrisons hopes to secure a more resilient and customer-focused future.
While some customers will miss the in-store cafés and counters that defined the Morrisons experience, the company’s renewed focus on value, efficiency, and convenience may ultimately help it thrive in a competitive retail market.Stay informed with more business and retail updates at StartupNews.fyi.
