Kroger to cut 3,000 jobs over three years for artificial intelligence

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 16:32 · Archive

Kroger will lay off 3,000 corporate employees over three years as it adopts artificial intelligence.

Grocery chain Kroger is laying off 3,000 corporate employees over the next three years as it increases its use of artificial intelligence to streamline operations. CEO Greg Foran said in a memo that the company needs to 'adopt capabilities, reduce duplicative work' and determine where work is best performed. Kroger, which is based in Cincinnati and has 409,000 employees across more than 2,700 stores operating under brands including Ralphs, King Soopers, Smith's and Fred Meyer, outlined its AI strategy last month to 'improve the customer experience, make work easier for associates and produce better business outcomes'.

Foran became Kroger's CEO in February. He previously led Walmart's U.S. division from 2014 to 2019, where he introduced online ordering and pickup services and accelerated the company's digital capabilities. Kroger faces competition from Walmart, which has grown as Americans pick up groceries alongside other general goods, as well as discount chains such as Aldi and Lidl, and online retailers like Amazon. The company's attempted merger with Albertsons in 2022 was blocked by the Federal Trade Commission and two states in 2024, citing concerns that it would raise prices and lower workers' wages by reducing competition.

How it is being reported

• Kroger to layoff 3,000 corporate employees over 3 years as it leans into artificial intelligenceGrocery store chain Kroger says it will lay off 3,000 corporate employees over the next three years as it ramps up its use of artificial intelligence to streamline operations.Clickorlando · 13 Oct, 16:08
• Kroger to layoff 3,000 corporate employees over 3 years as it leans into artificial intelligenceGrocery store chain Kroger says it will lay off 3,000 corporate employees over the next three years as it ramps up its use of artificial intelligence to streamline operations.News4Jax · 13 Oct, 16:08

In this story: Kroger · Greg Foran · Walmart · Cincinnati · Amazon · Albertsons · Federal Trade Commission

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem