Sainsbury’s is closing its branch in the Merry Hill shopping centre in Dudley, putting nearly 200 jobs at risk.
The 32,000 sq ft store will close on 30 December following a review of its performance.
“Like all retailers, we keep our estate under review to ensure our business is operating as efficiently and effectively as possible and to ensure we provide customers with the best possible service,” said a Sainsbury’s spokeswoman.
“On this occasion, we have announced plans to close our Merry Hill supermarket.”
The supermarket will now begin a consultation with the 193 workers at the store and pledged to support them “through the difficult period ahead”.
As part of its focus on convenience, Sainsbury’s has been gradually reducing its number of supermarkets and increasing its estate of convenience stores.
From 2015 to 2016, it reduced its supermarket estate from 249 to 217 branches, according to The Grocer’s Grocery Retail Structure. Its number of convenience stores, though, shot up from 612 to 712 and Sainsbury’s has opened more since.
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