Giant cash-and-carry retailer Makro is planning to axe 378 jobs with the closure of two UK superstores in the West Midlands and one in Wales.

Stores in Coventry, Wolverhampton and Swansea have been earmarked for potential closure. The retailer is in consultation with workers at all three.

“The store closure proposal, subject to consultation with employees and representatives, will affect the 378 staff employed at these stores,” a spokeswoman for the company said. She added the closures were due to “difficult trading times and a need to reduce costs”.

The Coventry store was opened in October 2001 and the Wolverhampton outlet December 2003.

If the closure in Swansea, South Wales, is carried out it will affect 112 workers and the store will cease trading on May 31, the company said.

That store, on the southern fringe of Swansea Enterprise Park, was opened in October 1994.

Makro Self Service Wholesalers began trading in 1971 in Manchester. The company’s annual UK turnover is now more than £1billion.

Makro UK, which is part of Metro Cash and Carry, currently operates a network of 33 cash-and-carry superstores across the country.