Hundreds of jobs go as retailer Kwik Save closes one-third of its shops

Workers at supermarket chain Kwik Save have been left “shocked and devastated” after the company closed one-third of its stores, retail union Usdaw said.

Kwik Save said it intended to close 79 stores across the UK, with the loss of several hundred jobs, with immediate effect.

The company said in a statement: “It is with regret that Kwik Save has had to make this difficult decision. However, to enable the business to succeed, the Kwik Save management team has had to announce these cutbacks to secure the future of the business.”

Usdaw national officer Joanne McGuinness said: “Usdaw will be meeting senior Kwik Save management to find out how it intends to secure the long-term future of the remaining stores, and to tell the company we believe long-serving and loyal staff deserved a longer consultation period before closure.”

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Retail expert Theresa Whickham told the BBC that Kwik Save had failed to keep up with the competition as big retailers moved into the convenience shopping market.