Kritika 
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18,000 jobs. Two household names. And thousands of employees asking the question: what do I do now?
Yet another blow has been struck to the High Street in the UK! Two of Britain’s best-known retailers have announced sweeping workforce reductions – a combination of 18,000 jobs being lost as businesses restructure amid increased costs, changing consumer habits and post-Budget tax pressures. The job cuts at Tesco have rocked communities that are heavily dependent on the supermarket giant as an important employer.
This guide is for you if you are one of the workers affected — or if you think you may be — or you are concerned. No jargon, no filler! Simple, actionable actions.
Why Is This Happening?
The UK retail industry has been facing a steady onslaught of difficulties. The squeeze on margins has been felt at the high street level as a result of higher employer National Insurance contributions following Labour’s Autumn Budget, changes in consumer shopping habits and continued expansion of online shopping.
The job cuts at Tesco come as part of a wider restructuring initiative which will also feature head office redundancies and role cuts in stores. Likewise, Next’s employment reduction is indicative of a company preparing itself for slimmer, leaner and more digital operations. Both companies are not alone — redundancies are sweeping the industry throughout 2026 as the UK retail employment crisis is a story that affects the whole of the retail industry.
Step 1: Know What You’re Owed
This is non-negotiable. If you are going to sign anything, or agree to anything, know what you are entitled to.
- Statutory Redundancy Pay: If you’ve been paying full-time for two years or more, you have a legal right to redundancy pay, depending on how long you’ve worked with the company, your weekly pay and your age. Get your number with the GOV.UK redundancy pay calculator.
- Notice Period: Make sure you review your contract. You have a choice between contractual notice period and statutory minimum notice (whichever is longer).
- Holiday Pay: Any holiday that has been accumulated but not used will be fully paid for as part of your termination package. Don’t miss out on this one.
- Bonuses and benefits: If there was any bonus, it should be included if it was originally a contractual obligation. Make all things in writing.
Step 2: Get Representation — Quickly
This isn’t something you have to do alone, and it isn’t something you should do alone.
- Call Your Union: If you’re in a union – for example, Usdaw (representing many retail workers) – then call your representative immediately! Unions will support you through formal consultation talks, will help you fight against unfair processes, and advocate for the best possible departure package.
- Use Free Government Resources: The portal for Redundancy Advice from the UK Government makes your statutory rights explicit. It’s free, official and bookmark-worthy.
- The Redundancy Consultation Process: By law, employers must consult with employees before making redundancies. In cases of 100 or more jobs, the consultation period is a minimum of 45 days. Know your timeline.
Step 3: Explore Internal Opportunities Before You Go
Those job cuts are targeting certain departments and stores, but as with other big retailers, Tesco has thousands of positions open throughout the company. It is best to ask directly from your HR representative before your redundancy comes into effect:
- Has there been a chance to redeploy within other departments or branches?
- Do you have a transfer to distribution centres or support functions?
- What internal opportunities are there for impacted staff?
- Proactive internal movers don’t get redundant at all. It’s a subject worth discussing.
Step 4: Start Your Job Search Now — Not Later
One of the most common and expensive errors is waiting until your last day to work out the problem. Start immediately.
- Enrol at Jobcentre Plus: Find local jobs, training courses and may be eligible for support in the form of Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit. Don’t wait until you need to save to consider this.
- Update Your CV Today: Show that transferable skills from retail — customer service, stock management, team leadership, cash handling and complaint resolution — can transfer to other areas. These are highly regarded in logistics, hospitality, healthcare support and more.
- Think re-skilling: Digital skills, basic care or trades courses, or even warehousing logistics can open the doors quickly with short courses.
A Word If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
Redundancy does not equal worth or hard work. The Tesco layoffs and Next job cuts are business decisions driven by economics — not personal performance. Thousands of able and industrious people are in the same predicament today.
There’s also a community out there who can help, such as union representatives, advisors at job centres, forums for retail workers online, and free employment law helplines.
The 2026 chapter of UK retail redundancies is hard to read. These are not the end of your story though.
Fast Action Checklist
- Check your redundancy and notice pay entitlements
- Make sure you get paid for all of your holidays and bonuses in your settlement.
- Ask a free legal adviser or a union representative for help
- Please contact HR to discuss possible transfer or redeployment within the organisation.
- Get your CV up to date and apply now!
- If you are thinking about a career change, then check out retraining programmes.
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