Supervalu Laying Off 130 Corporate Employees in Boise

Supervalu Inc.

Supervalu bought the Albertsons chain in 2006.

Supervalu Inc., the parent company of Albertsons grocery stores, is laying off about 130 employees at its Boise corporate office.

Supervalu announced today the reduction is part of a nationwide move to reduce operating costs.  Spokesman Mike Siemienas says Supervalu will reduce its workforce by 800.  That’s out of a total workforce of 135,000 nationwide.  Those cuts will be complete by February 25.

Siemienas says corporate employees in Boise are getting layoff notices this week.  He says the roughly 130 positions being cut include entry level corporate jobs, as well as finance, IT and marketing positions.  Siemienas says the layoffs do not affect store-level employees.

Associates who receive layoff notices will be eligible for severance pay and outplacement services.  Siemienas says those employees will be able to apply for other open positions within the company.

Siemienas says this announcement continues Supervalu’s strategic plan to remove permanent expenses which will help the grocery store chain deliver more competitive pricing to its customers.  That message also came through in a company statement released this morning:

“These reductions are necessary to help further strengthen and accelerate SUPERVALU’s business turnaround in a very competitive marketplace,” said Craig Herkert, SUPERVALU’s chief executive officer and president. “While the announcement of a workforce reduction is difficult news to share, due to its direct impact on our associates, these changes will allow us to better connect with customers and put more authority in the hands of people who interact more closely with our customers.”

Supervalu has about 4,300 retail stores across the country.  Stores include Albertsons, Hornbacher’s, Jewel-Osco, Cub Foods and Shop ‘n Save.

Supervalu/Albertsons is one of Idaho’s top employers.  According to workforce data, the company employed between 3,000 and 4,000 people in 2011.  That’s compared to 5,000-6,000 back in 2005.