Sainsbury's to cut 3,500 jobs by closing meat, fish and deli counters plus 420 Argos stores

Sainsbury's has said it will cut around 3,500 jobs as part of plans to permanently close all its meat, fish and deli counters, as well as some of its Argos stores.

The supermarket chain said the closure of the specialist counters is part of efforts to "better reflect customer demand" and will save the business around £60 million.

It also said roles will go with the imminent closure of 120 Argos stores, which is part of a strategy to shut 420 standalone Argos branches over the next three-and-a-half years.

Simon Roberts, chief executive of Sainsbury's, said: "We are talking to colleagues today about where the changes we are announcing in Argos standalone stores and food counters impact their roles.

"We will work really hard to find alternative roles for as many of these colleagues as possible and expect to be able to offer alternative roles for the majority of impacted colleagues.

"Right here and now, I and all the team are focused on supporting and delivering for our customers in the days and weeks ahead."

Sainsbury's have confirmed that Argos stores in Preston and Leyland are among those confirmed for permanent closure. You can learn more about these local closures in our report below.