Dive Brief:
- The Kroger Co. said it is hiring approximately 10,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions, according to a company release.
- The grocery chain saw growth of more than 12,000 workers last year, and over the last eight years, has created over 86,000 new jobs. Those figures are even greater when you add in workers resulting from capital investments done at the stores.
- Through the “Honoring Our Heroes” program, Kroger has hired more than 44,000 veterans over the last seven years, including 9,000 vets last year.
Dive Insight:
It’s interesting that Kroger is adding so many permanent workers just a month after pushing early retirement on about 2,000 employees in an effort to control costs. The company might be better off hiring part-time workers and taking advantage of the rising gig economy.
In November, Kroger lowered its expectation for its annual profit for the second time in 2016, so things aren’t all rosy at the company, despite adding so many new employees. Still, if the current food price deflation ends, those numbers could be on their way back up.
Wal-Mart made a similar announcement about adding 10,000 jobs just last week, so Kroger may have wanted to take some wind out of the retail giant’s sales with its own proclamation.
This company move could also be a great way to get on the radar of President Trump, whose campaign primarily focused on bringing more jobs to Americans. One tweet from the president praising Kroger could do wonders for business.