Around 1% of Tesco Express stores will have their opening hours reduced, as will post offices within Tesco stores. Security hours will also be cut and self-checkout usage targets raised to reduce staff working hours in affected stores, according to leaked documents seen by Better Retailing.

Reductions in opening hours in its convenience stores may help independent stores nearby, but Tesco is yet to announce any of the stores to be affected by any of the changes. A source at Nisa said the changes were also an opportunity for independent shops to recruit well-trained staff.