Superquinn job losses blamed on North prices

SUPERQUINN last night blamed the cheap price of groceries in the North for its decision to make 400 staff redundant as part of cost-cutting measures which include the closure of its Dundalk store.

Superquinn, which has 24 shops across the Republic, is the first large supermarket chain to bow to the current economic crisis by cutting staff. The company said the cost-cutting measures were essential to ensure the business remained competitive “through the economic conditions affecting the Irish retail market”.

As well as reducing its 3,300 staff by 400, the company intends to introduce what it described as “more flexible work practices”.