In a move that’s sending shockwaves through the retail industry, Woolworths has announced a major restructure that will see job cuts for office-based staff.
Just days after revealing plans to bring employees back to the office, the supermarket giant has confirmed that it’s reviewing its office team structures, with a focus on becoming more agile and efficient.
The Reason Behind the Restructure
According to a Woolworths Group spokesperson, the decision is necessary to manage costs and reinvest in providing value to customers.
“In this environment, as with all retailers, it’s even more important to manage our costs carefully to allow us to reinvest in providing value to our customers and improving our offer to meet their changing expectations,” they said.
What’s Changing for Woolworths Employees
As part of the restructure, office-based team members will be required to prioritize face-to-face work in the office.
While the exact number of job cuts is still unclear, Woolworths has promised to treat affected employees with “respect, care and empathy” over the coming weeks and months.
The Return-to-Office Strategy
The announcement comes on the back of Woolworths’ decision to introduce a return-to-office strategy.
From June 2, 2025, all team members will be working at least one day in the office, with this increasing to three days by October 6, 2025. The move is designed to increase in-person connections and better serve customers.
Why Woolworths Is Shifting Its Focus
Woolworths Group chief executive Amanda Bardwell explained that while hybrid working arrangements have been successful, the company’s priorities have shifted towards increasing in-person connections.
“A key priority for us in 2025 is to create more opportunities for in-person connection to increase our responsiveness and better serve our customers,” she said.
What’s Next for Woolworths
As the company navigates this major restructure, one thing is clear: the focus is on creating a more agile and efficient organization that’s better equipped to meet the changing needs of customers.
With a commitment to treating employees with respect and care, Woolworths is hoping to emerge from this process stronger and more resilient than ever.