Countdown has launched a consultation process with its meat team members as it explores closing its in-store supermarket butchery services.

Countdown’s director of stores, Jason Stockill, said the retailer had carried out a number of changes in the past few years to how it produces, delivers and sells meat in its North Island stores, especially with the opening of the Hilton meat plant.

“We think that this proposal reflects the changing skills needed to run our departments, evolving customer preferences, and the future operational needs of our stores.”

Stockill said if the proposal is confirmed, team members would be redeployed wherever possible to ensure their employment continues with the business.

“We are currently consulting with around 400 of our team and First Union on proposed changes to our North Island meat department team structure.”

In January, Countown’s parent Woolworths conducted a review of its Australian in-store butcher services and found that it only accounted for just 4 per cent of meat sales as consumers preferred pre-packaged options.