UK retailer The Co-operative Group has confirmed plans to close six stores.
A spokesperson for the retailer did not give details of the location of the stores but told just-food: “At any one time, given the size of the business, we are going to have stores that are closing.”
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The stores are expected to close next month and are reported to be affecting around 145 employees.
In August, the retailer reported that falling sales in a “tough” market had hit profits from its food arm.
Operating profit from The Co-op’s food business was GBP119m (US$188.8m) in the half year to 30 June, down from GBP142m a year earlier. The Co-op pointed to “continued investment” in prices, its stores and supply chain.
Earlier in the year, the retailer had announced plans to cut hundreds of back-office roles in a bid to increase profits from its food business.
