UK retail major to move jobs to India

Somerfield is reported close to signing the contract with India's IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

Nearly 120 jobs in the IT department of supermarket chain Somerfield in Bristol are expected to be moved to India as part of its latest cost-cutting programme.

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Somerfield is reported close to signing the contract with India's IT major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).

The 141 workers in the department, based at Somerfield's Whitchurch, Bristol, head office, have been told of the move. Around 25, mainly managers, are expected to stay in Bristol to oversee the operation.

A Somerfield spokesperson told the Western Daily Press that talks were continuing with TCS, but a contract had not yet been signed.

The 1,300-store group, Britain's fifth-largest grocery chain, was acquired for £1.1 billion last December by a consortium made up of property tycoon Robert Tchenguiz, private equity firm Apax and investment bank Barclays Capital.

The new owners have undertaken a major review of the business.