Asda email which sacked 475 staff this week published - see leaked letter in full

The news was delivered to staff in an email from Asda chairman Stuart Rose and board member Rob Hattrell, which was later published in full after it was leaked to the media

Asda announced that 475 roles would be axed this week and the news was delivered to staff in an email.

The supermarket chain said the move would impact head office staff and not retail staff at Asda branches across the UK. Workers were also told they need to return to the office for a minimum of three days a week starting in January. The change will affect around 5,000 people working at the Asda House and Britannia House sites in Leeds and the George House site in Leicester.

A spokesperson from Asda said, "This approach brings us in line with our competitors" to "build high-performing teams with a collaborative culture." The news was delivered to staff in an email from Asda chairman Stuart Rose and board member Rob Hattrell, which was later published in full after it was leaked to the media.

The email opened by noting that the supermarket chain had seen "much change" over the last three years with the rollout of its small convenience stores, Asda Express, and the creation of its loyalty scheme, Asda Rewards, and its "Future Programme". This sees the supermarket overhaul the entire IT system it used under its former owner Walmart.

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However, Rose and Hattrell said after reviewing the group's progress over the last two months Asda needed to "ensure that the business is best placed to meet our longer-term ambitions."

The email said: "We have rightly taken the decision to invest in our stores, focus on improved availability, enhanced customer experience, alongside a stronger trade plan. We must now deliver a more flexible and fast-moving Home Office structure to support those priorities and put us firmly back in the service of our customers.

"As part of this process, we are redefining roles and accountabilities to remove duplication and simplify structures. We need colleagues to be more empowered in their decision making as we deliver for customers. Additionally, we want you to have more fulfilling roles and feel supported in your career development."

To "drive these priorities, the email said Asda was delivering "fewer bigger roles, clear accountabilities and ownership, simplified ways of working, using new technology, and effective processes and cross-functional touch points." However, Rose and Hattrell confirmed this meant staff were going to have to leave the business".

The email read: "Sadly, as a result, some colleagues will be leaving the business this week, whilst others will be considering new roles and responsibilities. Change is never easy and is unsettling, but the Executive Team believe it is necessary to enter 2025 in a stronger position, fully focused on serving our customers, delivering our ambitions and driving long-term growth. We want to place on record our thanks to all those colleagues who are leaving us this week, as well as those remaining as we move forwards."