British supermarket group Asda said today it was cutting around 1,400 management jobs to allow it invest more in front-line customer service.
Owned by US retail giant Wal-Mart, the company said around 200 jobs would go at its centres in Leeds and Lutterworth, England, and that about five positions would be lost at each of its stores.
The firm also said it was strengthening its senior executive team, with David Cheesewright returning from a 12-month stint at Wal-Mart in Canada to become Asda chief operating officer and trading director.
Andy Clarke will return to the firm after a three-year gap to be retail director, while Angela Spindler becomes customer and strategy director.
Retailers across Britain are suffering as debt-laden consumers rein back on spending following a series of interest rate rises and amid stagnating house prices.
Asda expected to be able to redeploy around four in 10 of the jobs lost in stores in more customer-facing positions, a spokesman said.