Health and beauty retailer Boots Group has said changes to its supply chain operations will result in 2,250 job losses, including 50 jobs at a warehouse in Belfast.
All staff at the warehouse belonging to the pharmacy chain are to lose their jobs as part of the restructuring. Ten of those employed at the Belfast facility work part-time.
SDLP deputy leader Dr Alasdair McDonnell described the closure of the warehouse as disappointing and regrettable.
"This will obviously come as a huge blow to the 50 people who work at the warehouse," the South Belfast MP said.
"Any job loss is devastating to the individual who was depending on it to earn a living.
"But I believe the decision to close the warehouse is reflective of the wider changes in the world of work, where technological advances are resulting in rationalisation.
"This closure further highlights the need for the North's (of Ireland) focus to be on producing a skilled workforce which can stretch its talents across a wide range of areas so that our local economy can thrive and our local people can be offered opportunities they deserve."
Earlier, Boots said it was to invest £250 million over the next four years on its pharmacies and supply chain, including a new £70 million automated warehouse in Nottingham, England.
Around 50 pharmacy shops currently operate in the Republic under the Boots name.
The cuts will come as Boots invests £250 million of the proceeds of its £1.9 billion sale last year of Boots Healthcare International (BHI), seeking to streamline its distribution network.
Boots, which has been given provisional clearance to acquire drugs distributor and retailer Alliance UniChem Plc, said in a statement that 700 of its smaller stores would receive substantial investment.
"Our small stores have been under-invested. We remain committed to local high streets and to providing healthcare services wherever our customers want them," chief executive Richard Baker said.
The supply chain revamp will reduce stock holding, improve productivity and cut property costs, but will also eventually result in 2,250 job losses - the impact of which the company hopes to reduce through natural wastage and retraining.
Additional reporting: PA