The axing of Coles in-store butchers could see supermarket meat prices drop in the coming months, while independent butchers may also benefit, a retail expert says.

The supermarket giant will only offer pre-packaged meat on its shelves from Monday in a move the meatworkers' union has described as "devastating", with dozens of butchers made redundant.

Queensland University of Technology retail expert Gary Mortimer said he believed the move would make supermarket meat more affordable.

"While it may seem unpopular, what we need to understand this business is trying to reduce the overall costs to the shopper on a weekly basis," he said.

"If you remove individual butchers across a thousand supermarkets, individually cutting and preparing meat products, you centralise the task. 

"By centralising the task you get consistency, you reduce your costs, and therefore you can provide a consistent product into the marketplace at a reasonably lower price."

Benefit for independent butchers:

A Coles spokesperson told ABC Radio Brisbane the proposal would mean meat would be supplied as "retail-ready products" to stores.

"Following a period of consultation with affected meat team members as well as their union representatives, a decision was made to proceed with the proposal in late August," the spokesperson said.

"We are currently working with affected team members to assess redeployment and retraining opportunities within Coles."

Woolworths has about 300 in-store butchers across Australia.

Professor Mortimer said while the move meant hundreds of experienced, skilled butchers were put out of work, it would be a positive step for independent butchers who would benefit from consumers choosing to patronise local businesses.

"If you're an Aussie family and you want a basic cut of beef, you want a basic steak or basic lamb chop, the supermarket is the place to go," he said.

"If you want a premium product, if you want a particular type of cut, this is where you'll see the artistry of butchery taking place outside the supermarket."

'Strange decision':

Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union acting federal secretary Matt Journeaux said Coles' decision was devastating right before Christmas.

"Christmas is only around the corner and these people, some … have been working for the company for forty years," he said.

"It flabbergasts me. It's a really, really strange decision Coles has made."

Mr Journeaux said some staff had been offered a "significant reduction" in hours through Coles' redeployment plan.

Union representative Justin Smith told ABC New England that trade-qualified butchers and meatworkers were paid more money than other Coles retail workers as they fell under a separate agreement.

Independent Kalgoorlie butcher Steve McKenny (Above) said he was concerned about the future of the industry, particularly for apprentices still learning their trade.

"The short-term gain for myself as a business owner … hopefully we pick up a couple of butchers," he said.

"But the future of the industry, I think is terrible. I can't help to agree it's got to be a cost-cutting exercise, otherwise someone as big as Coles wouldn't be doing it."

Mr McKenny said he expected some of the butchers made redundant by Coles would be snapped up by independent businesses who were desperate for skilled workers.

"It's a whole gig. It's breaking down the carcass, it's giving your customers feedback, it's teaching them to cook it, what's the best cut for it," he said.

"We see the same faces day after day, year after year. I've been serving some of the customers when they were single and now they're coming in with their 12-year-old kids."

Independent Brisbane butcher Billy Gibney said there was already a severe shortage of skilled and qualified butchers and apprentices nationally, even as demand for butcher serviced and quality meat had soared during COVID-19.

"As long as Coles butchers are willing to adapt and diversify, there'll be jobs out there for them, I guarantee," Mr Gibney said.

Mr Gibney said he and other butchers were struggling to meet demand as more customers returned to independent butchers and were willing to pay for it.

But, he said, it was unlikely meat prices would ever drop back down to pre-COVID levels as supply chain costs increased.

"You're supporting 100% Australian workers, which is fantastic, but unfortunately the customer is paying for that," he said.

Story By | Lucy Stone