In an effort to cut costs, Kroger Co. will offer early retirement to 2,000 corporate employees.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the supermarket chain will not fill the vacant spots of workers who accept the offer. Earlier in December Kroger cut its outlook for its annual profit for the second time this year. Kroger released a statement Thursday saying that the new retirement option is part of a strategy to implement cost controls behind the scenes in ways that do not directly affect customers.
"We believe a generous Voluntary Retirement Offering is in line with our company values and recognizes the long careers many of our associates have had with Kroger," Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO, said in a statement. "Kroger is committed to our operating model of lowering costs to invest in the areas that matter most to our customers."
Kroger is the second-largest food seller in the United States after Wal-Mart.