Asda cuts over 200 jobs amid IT overhaul struggles

Asda has announced another round of job cuts, slashing over 200 positions primarily linked to its troubled £800m IT upgrade, known as Project Future. This decision marks the second redundancy wave in five months and comes as Asda aims to streamline its operations amid declining market share and poor trading results. The company is restructuring its management and has folded its International Procurement & Logistics (IPL) division into its central operations to support its growth strategy. Union leaders have criticized Asda for the lack of consultation prior to the layoffs, although the company insists it complies with legal requirements. The ongoing issues with the IT upgrade have led Walmart to extend deadlines previously set to avoid penalties, further complicating Asda's recovery efforts. With Allan Leighton as the new chairman, the supermarket is under pressure to improve employee morale and regain customer trust amidst these challenges.