Supermarket giant Tesco is to cut 4,500 jobs at 153 high street Metro outlets.
The losses add to the 9,000 the chain warned were at risk earlier this year.
In a statement the company – the UK’s biggest retailer – said the measures were to “simplify and reduce processes and administrative tasks” across all its Metro stores.
It added: “The changes in our Metro stores will be focused on better tailoring them to how our customers shop.
“The Metro format was originally designed for larger, weekly shops, but today nearly 70% of customers use them as convenience stores, buying food for that day.”
Tesco said it had found easier ways to stack shelves, simplify store management structures and introduce more flexible working hours.
It will also be cutting opening hours in 134 of its 1,750 smaller neighbourhood Express stores.
Jason Tarry, the supermarket’s UK and Ireland boss, said: “In a challenging, evolving retail environment, with increasing cost pressures, we have to continue to review the way we run our stores to ensure we reflect the way our customers are shopping and do so in the most efficient way.
“We do not take any decision which impacts colleagues lightly but have to make sure we remain relevant for customers and operate a sustainable business now and in the future.”
The cuts are part of the company’s plan to slash £1.5 billion from its cost base to help rebuild profits.
