Woolworths is set to cut a number of in-store butcher positions as the supermarket moves away from processing meat in-store.

Approximately 30 southern New South Wales Woolworths stores will soon no longer have in-store butchers with the supermarket switching over to case-ready meat.

Woolworths says the switch will help improve on-self availability, quality and range.

“This change has already been rolled out in Victoria, Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT, and the improved on-shelf availability, quality and range has proven popular with customers,” a Woolworths spokesperson told Australian Food News.

“We continue to invest millions in our world-leading meat production facilities across the country so we can offer customers more consistent and better quality fresh meat as well as improved availability on our shelves across all trading hours.”

The move to cut in-store butchers was first flagged by Woolworths in 2013 and will impact approximately 100 of its New South Wales meat team members in total.

Butchers impacted by the move to case-ready meat will be offered other roles within Woolworths.

Although some stores are losing their butchers, Woolworths’ store renewal program includes in-store butcher shops in some renewal stores.

“Qualified butchers play a key role in these renewal stores cutting meat specifically to suit the customers’ preference and providing expert advice on preparation and cooking,” Woolworths’ spokesperson said.

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