Morrisons to close 100 stores in the UK with full list of 7 sites named

Morrisons to close 100 stores in the UK with full list of 7 sites named Morrisons has announced it will close 100 stores in the coming months, with loss-making Morrisons Daily convenience stores among those affected already named. Morrisons is set to shut 100 stores in the coming months, with loss-making convenience outlets amongst those impacted. The supermarket chain revealed in May that Morrisons Daily sites, which joined the group following its takeover of McColls, were to close. The retailer attributed the closures to rising costs driven by Government measures, including increases to the National Living Wage and employer National Insurance contributions. Hundreds of positions have been placed at risk, with consultation over the closures continuing. The Government stated at the time that shutting shops was a commercial matter for Morrisons, though ministers recognised it was a "concerning time" for employees and their families, reports the Express. Morrisons has previously stated that the "tough" choice to close Morrisons Daily stores would place additional workers at risk of redundancy, though the company would attempt to secure alternative roles for those impacted. According to the BBC, there are approximately 1,700 Morrisons Daily convenience outlets across the UK. When the announcement was made, Morrisons did not release information about all the sites earmarked for closure. However, it did confirm seven stores faced the axe. These are: Fairfax Avenue, Hull; Esk Close, Guisborough; Zetland Road, Loftus; Stokesley High Street, Middlesbrough; Queen Street, Redcar; Middle Street, South Driffield and Woodthorpe in York. Earlier this month, Morrisons disclosed a deceleration in sales growth for its most recent quarter amid "highly competitive" market conditions. The supermarket chain announced that total sales climbed by 1.7% to £4billion over the 13 weeks to April 26, compared with a 2.6% rise in the previous quarter. Like-for-like sales growth also eased, slowing to 2.2% from 2.8% in the preceding quarter. Despite the figures, Morrisons chief executive Rami Baitieh said he was "pleased" by the latest results, pointing to an "encouraging start" to the third quarter, with optimism that sales could be given a boost by the World Cup and Father's Day. Morrisons currently sits as the sixth largest supermarket in the UK, having witnessed a decline in its share of the grocery market in recent years. The retailer has set its sights on saving £1billion as part of a long-term turnaround strategy. Over the last quarter alone, Morrisons confirmed it had achieved £48million in cost savings. The closure of around 100 loss-making convenience stores forms a key part of these cost-cutting measures. However, despite the planned shutdowns, the retailer confirmed it still launched 30 new Morrisons Daily franchise stores during the quarter, with hundreds more earmarked to open in the coming years. Mr Baitieh previously stated: "In a highly competitive market, we're focusing hard on delivering the best value for customers to give them more reasons to shop at Morrisons." Full list of Morrison Daily stores confirmed for closure - Fairfax Avenue, Hull - Esk Close, Guisborough - Zetland Road, Loftus - Stokesley High Street, Middlesbrough - Queen Street, Redcar - Middle Street, South Driffield - Woodthorpe, York