Tesco to close last 6 Homeplus stores in UK

London

BRITAIN's biggest retailer Tesco is to close the remaining six Homeplus stores in its home market, bringing the curtain down on the non-food retail business with the potential loss of about 450 jobs.

Tesco said on Tuesday that the stores in Bristol, Bracknell, Nottingham, Denton, Bromborough and Preston will close on June 27.

Said a spokesman: "We've taken the difficult decision to close our remaining six Homeplus stores. Our priority is now to explain what this announcement means for our colleagues and wherever possible, offer them alternative roles with Tesco."

Dave Lewis, who joined as Tesco chief executive in September, is pursuing efficiency measures, cutting costs and selling assets to mend the group's finances and fight back from years of declining market share. REUTERS