Editing Sainsbury's (section)

===Multi-channel retailer and restructuring (2016–present)===
After a four-month pursuit, in April 2016 [[Home Retail Group]] agreed to be taken over by Sainsbury's for £1.4&nbsp;billion. Sainsbury's completed the acquisition in September 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35941233|title=Sainsbury's wins battle to buy Argos|work=BBC News|date=1 April 2016|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802112948/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-35941233|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2016/09/sainsburys-acquisition-of-argos-parent-company-now-complete|title=Sainsbury's acquisition of Argos parent company now complete|work=Retail Gazette|date=2 September 2016|access-date=2 September 2016|archive-date=8 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161208160102/https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2016/09/sainsburys-acquisition-of-argos-parent-company-now-complete|url-status=live}}</ref> The deal included catalogue chain [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]] and furnishing retailer [[Habitat (retailer)|Habitat]]. As a result, the new Sainsbury's group was organised into four divisions: the core Sainsbury's food retail business; General Merchandising (including Argos) & TU Clothing; Financial Services (Sainsbury's Bank and Argos financial services businesses); and various property investments.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/~/media/Files/S/Sainsburys/pdf-downloads/sainsburys-ar-2017-financial-statements|title=Financial Statements|date=2 May 2017|website=about.sainsburys.co.uk|publisher=J Sainsbury plc|access-date=10 January 2020|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029140423/http://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/~/media/Files/S/Sainsburys/pdf-downloads/sainsburys-ar-2017-financial-statements|url-status=live}}</ref>

Throughout 2016 and 2017 Sainsbury's pursued expansion of its multi-channel strategy, increasing the number of groceries Click and Collect points and online fulfilment locations to serve its online delivery network including opening a [[dark store]] in [[Bromley by Bow]] to serve the London area, increasing geographical coverage of its same-day groceries delivery network and integrating concessions into its shops such as Argos, Habitat, [[Timpson (retailer)|Timpson's]] and [[Starbucks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/21/sainsburys-hiring-staff-online-delivery-centre-east-london|title=Sainsbury's to hire 900 staff for online delivery centre in east London|first=Sarah|last=Butler|date=21 July 2016|work=The Guardian|access-date=22 March 2018|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124005714/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/jul/21/sainsburys-hiring-staff-online-delivery-centre-east-london|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2016, Sainsbury's announced its intention to cut £500&nbsp;million of costs from its business. In March 2017 400 jobs were cut and 4,000 jobs were re-organized, mainly affecting employees in night shift and commercial operation (cash office and price control) roles.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/08/05/sainsburys-cost-cuts-threaten-1000-jobs/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/08/05/sainsburys-cost-cuts-threaten-1000-jobs/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Sainsbury's cost cuts threaten 1,000 jobs|first1=Ben|last1=Marlow|first2=Ashley|last2=Armstrong|date=5 August 2017|access-date=27 February 2019|newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In August 2017, 1000 jobs were cut throughout all of its Head Office and support centres, affecting a variety of functions.<ref name="telegraph.co.uk"/>

In October 2017, changes to security contracts meant that provider [[Mitie]] reduced the number of [[security officer]]s within shops.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mitie.com/case-studies/retail/a-smarter-way-of-securing-sainsbury-s/#!/|title=A SMARTer way of securing one of the UK's leading supermarkets|publisher=Mitie|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124071014/https://www.mitie.com/case-studies/retail/a-smarter-way-of-securing-sainsbury-s/#!/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same month Sainsbury's announced plans to axe all shop-based [[Human resource manager|Human Resource]] employees, including HR managers, payroll clerks, administration clerks and Learning and Development managers, overall affecting 1400 jobs.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/867704/Sainsbury-s-job-cuts-Asda-high-street-supermarkets|title=Sainsbury's AXES 2,000 jobs in £500m cost-cutting drive|first=Mark|last=Chandler|date=17 October 2017|access-date=23 January 2018|archive-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124070754/https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/867704/Sainsbury-s-job-cuts-Asda-high-street-supermarkets|url-status=live}}</ref> Additionally another 600 jobs at its Head Offices were cut.<ref name="auto"/>

In January 2018, Sainsbury's announced proposals to overhaul shop management structures which would result in job losses 'in the thousands'.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42791079|title=Thousands of jobs at risk at Sainsbury's|first=Emma|last=Simpson|work=BBC News|date=2 March 2018|access-date=21 July 2018|archive-date=20 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820054204/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42791079|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 1 February 2018, Sainsbury's announced the purchase of [[Nectar (loyalty card)|Nectar]] from [[AIMIA]] for £60&nbsp;million; this gave full control of all Nectar data to Sainsbury's.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ft.com/content/584f106e-0766-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5|title=Sainsbury's buys Nectar reward scheme from Aimia for £60m|date=1 February 2018|work=Financial Times|access-date=1 October 2020|archive-date=4 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204120746/https://www.ft.com/content/584f106e-0766-11e8-9650-9c0ad2d7c5b5|url-status=live}}</ref>

In March 2018, Sainsbury's announced that it would be increasing the base rate of pay for its staff to retain the best workers. It said it would increase pay by 15% in the year, spending an extra £100&nbsp;million on a plan that would also simplify the number of job roles.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-sainsbury-pay/sainsburys-to-hike-in-store-staff-pay-by-15-percent-idUKKCN1GI0XJ|title=Sainsbury's raises in-shop pay but axes paid breaks|date=6 March 2016|work=Reuters|access-date=16 March 2018|archive-date=6 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306142602/https://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-sainsbury-pay/sainsburys-to-hike-in-store-staff-pay-by-15-percent-idUKKCN1GI0XJ|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In April 2018, Sainsbury's entered talks with [[Walmart]] about a proposed merger with Asda, which, if approved, could have formed the largest UK supermarket company.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/28/sainsburys-and-asda-in-shock-talks-over-10bn-merger-deal|title=Sainsbury's and Asda in shock talks over 10bn merger deal|last=Wood|first=Zoe|work=The Guardian|date=28 April 2018|access-date=30 April 2018|archive-date=29 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429230046/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2018/apr/28/sainsburys-and-asda-in-shock-talks-over-10bn-merger-deal|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Alan Tovey|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/28/sainsburys-mulls-asda-tie-up-create-supermarket-giant/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2018/04/28/sainsburys-mulls-asda-tie-up-create-supermarket-giant/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Sainsbury's in 'advanced' discussions over £10bn-plus merger with Asda to create supermarket giant|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=28 April 2018|access-date=28 April 2018}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Under the proposal, Walmart would have owned 42% of the group, with day-to-day operations being led by the chief executive of Sainsbury's at the time, Mike Coupe. The group also outlined plans to open branches of Argos within Asda shops.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sainsbury's vows Asda deal will cut prices|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43945254|access-date=30 April 2018|work=BBC News|date=30 April 2018|archive-date=30 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430063952/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-43945254|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the [[Competition and Markets Authority]] (the UK's regulator on anti-competitive practices) said in February 2019 that it could block the merger.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47303166|title=Sainsbury's-Asda merger in jeopardy|date=20 February 2019|access-date=27 February 2019|work=BBC News|archive-date=27 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227185110/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47303166|url-status=live}}</ref> On 25 April 2019, the Competition and Markets Authority blocked the merger and it was abandoned by Sainsbury's.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/sainsburys/cma-blocks-sainsburys/asda-merger-/592699.article|title=CMA blocks Sainsbury's/Asda merger|first=Ian|last=Quinn|date=25 April 2019|website=The Grocer|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502134043/https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/sainsburys/cma-blocks-sainsburys/asda-merger-/592699.article|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/219067/sainsbury-s-and-walmart-s-asda-abandon-merger-after-competition-watchdog-rejects-deal-219067.html|title=Sainsbury's and Walmart's Asda abandon merger after competition watchdog rejects deal|date=25 April 2019|website=Proactiveinvestors UK|access-date=2 May 2019|archive-date=2 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190502133346/https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/219067/sainsbury-s-and-walmart-s-asda-abandon-merger-after-competition-watchdog-rejects-deal-219067.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2020, Sainsbury's stated that up to 3,500 jobs were at risk due to the closure of supermarket counters and the closure of further Argos standalone stores.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sainsbury's warns 3,500 jobs could go in supermarket shake-up|url=https://news.sky.com/story/sainsburys-reveals-3-500-jobs-at-risk-in-operational-shake-up-12124100|access-date=5 November 2020|publisher=Sky News|archive-date=5 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105072405/https://news.sky.com/story/sainsburys-reveals-3-500-jobs-at-risk-in-operational-shake-up-12124100|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2021, the group announced further restructuring with the loss of 1150 head office and warehousing roles. Office sites Victoria and Saffron House in London, as well as Walsgrave in Coventry, were closed; office space was reduced at other sites at Milton Keynes, Coventry, London and Manchester.<ref>{{cite web|title=1150 jobs at risk as Sainsbury's unveils restructuring proposals|url=https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/03/1150-jobs-at-risk-as-sainsburys-unveils-restructuring-proposals/|access-date=7 June 2021|website=Retail Gazette|date=3 March 2021 |archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607220953/https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2021/03/1150-jobs-at-risk-as-sainsburys-unveils-restructuring-proposals/|url-status=live}}</ref> The restructure also included the closure of the company's only [[dark store|online fulfilment centre]] in [[Bromley-by-Bow]], London; with online orders instead being fulfilled by nearby stores with online fulfilment capabilities<ref>{{cite web|title=Sainsbury's to cut 500 Head Office jobs with a further 650 at risk|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/03/sainsburys-to-cut-500-head-office-jobs-with-a-further-650-at-risk|access-date=7 June 2021|website=The Guardian|date=3 March 2021|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607220949/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/mar/03/sainsburys-to-cut-500-head-office-jobs-with-a-further-650-at-risk|url-status=live}}</ref> The group reported a £261&nbsp;million loss in April 2021, citing £485&nbsp;million of investment in 'additional safety measures' in response to the [[COVID-19 pandemic|Coronavirus pandemic]], additional staffing costs and additional staff bonuses. The group's financial results included the one-off costs of announced restructuring as well as [[write-off|writedowns]] of its estate valuations and banking assets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sainsbury's slumps to £261&nbsp;million loss on back of covid costs|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/28/sainsburys-slumps-to-261m-loss-on-back-of-covid-costs|access-date=7 June 2021|website=The Guardian|date=28 April 2021|archive-date=7 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607220953/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2021/apr/28/sainsburys-slumps-to-261m-loss-on-back-of-covid-costs|url-status=live}}</ref> The group's new CEO Simon Roberts has started to focus the grocery business on a 'food first strategy'; the company's slogan changed in May 2021 and an advertising campaign followed promoting healthier eating choices and sustainable food, designed to complement the company's partnership of the [[2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference|2021 UN Climate Change Conference]] being held in the UK.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sainsbury's commits to helping the nation make healthier choices as only a quarter of Brits eat five-a-day|url=https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2021/26-05-21-sainsbury-commits-to-helping-the-nation-make-healthier-choices-as-only-a-quarter-of-brits|access-date=7 June 2021|website=J Sainsbury's plc.|archive-date=31 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531194410/https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2021/26-05-21-sainsbury-commits-to-helping-the-nation-make-healthier-choices-as-only-a-quarter-of-brits|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sainsbury's unveils new brand slogan as it is named Principal Supermarket Partner of COP26|url=https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2021/25-02-2021-sainsburys-named-principal-supermarket-partner-of-cop26|access-date=7 June 2021|website=J Sainsbury's plc.|archive-date=1 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301061649/https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news/latest-news/2021/25-02-2021-sainsburys-named-principal-supermarket-partner-of-cop26|url-status=live}}</ref>

On 31 October 2024, Sainsbury's announced the sale of its Argos Financial Services cards portfolio to NewDay Group for £720 million ($934 million) as part of its plan to concentrate on its main retail operations.<ref>{{cite web |date=31 October 2024 |title=Sainsbury's sells Argos Financial Services cards portfolio for $934 mln |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/sainsburys-sell-argos-financial-services-cards-portfolio-934-mln-2024-10-31/}}</ref>