B&Q restructures in-store operations as overnight shifts axed

The Kingfisher-owned DIY market leader said it aims to “improve our customers’ shopping experience” by moving 1,750 staff to shopfloor roles.

From next month, overnight replenishment will end and be carried out during the day instead.

Staff who currently work overnight will be offered daytime shifts but will lose their unsocial hours allowance.

The proposed changes would also result in the removal of night shift management and supervisor roles and a reduction in trading management roles.

The restructure would, however, result in an increase in daytime team leader roles.

B&Q retail and property director Paul Crisp said: “The overall impact of the proposals will be to improve our customers’ shopping experience in our stores. The changes in replenishment would mean an additional 1,750 customer-facing colleagues on our shop floors, improving stock availability and customer service throughout the day.

“To do this, we are offering colleagues in overnight replenishment roles the opportunity to take a new daytime replenishment role instead, though we recognise that not all of them may want to take up these new positions.

“In addition, we are creating greater consistency in the way we operate our stores, removing duplication of tasks and improving efficiency.

“We want to be the leading home improvement company and make home improvement accessible for everyone. That means delivering great customer service and great quality at prices that are truly affordable. To do that, we need to operate differently.”

B&Q is consulting on the plans with employee representatives.