Asda will outsource 3,500 cleaning jobs to third-party providers Bidvest and NIC Services in August 2026, as the debt-laden supermarket continues a cost-cutting programme that has already affected thousands of workers.

The retailer said the move would allow it to access specialist equipment and technology, including robotics, while improving cleaning standards across its stores. The changes will include enhanced toilet cleaning, steam cleaning of trolleys and baskets, and improved maintenance of entrances and checkout areas.

GMB organiser Rachelle Wilkins said the union had asked Asda in April whether further outsourcing was planned but claimed it had been told there were no such plans. “This is detestable behaviour from Asda,” Wilkins said, warning that outsourcing could affect workers’ pay, conditions and jobs.

The GMB said Asda should halt the cleaning outsourcing process until other employment consultations have concluded. Wilkins said the union wanted the supermarket to consider “what is best for its customers and staff”.

Asda said it was the only major supermarket to operate an in-house cleaning model and that outsourcing was standard practice elsewhere in the sector. David Lepley, Asda’s chief operating officer, said the company’s ambition was to “deliver the cleanest stores in retail” and described the latest investment as a step towards improving the customer experience.

The cleaning changes form part of a wider restructuring programme at Asda, which cut 7,500 roles last year as it faced rising costs and £730 million in debt financing charges. In January, the supermarket announced plans to transfer 1,200 warehouse roles supporting online orders for its George clothing business to DHL.

More than 300 security guards were placed into redundancy consultation in July after Asda outsourced its security operations to Mitie. The supermarket has also been moving retail employees between roles as it seeks to reduce costs and restructure its operations.

Asda reported a loss of almost £1 billion last year, while its grocery market share fell from 12.6 per cent to 11.4 per cent following the 2021 takeover by TDR Capital and Mohsin and Zuber Issa. Executive chairman Allan Leighton said in May that there were “green shoots” of recovery, despite the decline in market share since his return to lead the business.

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