Sainsbury's is expected to axe one in four of its buyers in a bid to reduce costs, as it continues to struggle with a decline in sales believed to be three per cent down since the end of March.

The job losses will affect 100 Sainsbury's employees and form part of the continued business review led by Sir Peter Davis. The news follows on from Sainsbury's end of year results, where Sir Peter pledged to rein in costs across its operations.

These latest job cuts come after the supermarket group made 10 of its marketing personnel redundant earlier this week.

The City is increasingly concerned that the long awaited turnaround at Sainsbury's is not materialising.