Key points
- Kroger plans to cut about 3,000 corporate jobs over the next three years.
- That is about 37% of its roughly 8,200 corporate employees.
- Store and distribution jobs are not part of the cuts.
- CEO Greg Foran told staff on an all-company call on Monday, October 12, 2026, followed by a memo.
- It follows about 1,000 corporate cuts in 2025, after the failed Albertsons merger.
Cincinnati-based Kroger will eliminate about 3,000 corporate jobs over three years, according to a memo from CEO Greg Foran reported by AP. Foran wrote that the company has “more layers, more handoffs and more overhead than we need.”
Kroger layoffs: 3,000 corporate jobs
About 37% of Kroger’s roughly 8,200 corporate employees, over three years. Each square is 100 jobs.
3,000corporate jobs to be cut
8,200corporate employees today
Stores and warehouses are not affected.
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Which Kroger jobs are affected?
Only corporate roles. Kroger has not said which departments or job functions are affected. The Cincinnati Business Courier reported that the cuts span several departments and office locations. After the cuts, Kroger would have about 5,200 corporate employees. Kroger says individual decisions will be communicated in the coming months, not in a single round.
Why is Kroger cutting jobs?
In the memo, Foran pointed to complexity and duplicated work, and to new technology. AP framed the cuts as part of Kroger leaning into artificial intelligence. Kroger has not said how many roles will be replaced by AI. About a month before the announcement, Kroger lowered its identical-sales outlook for the year to under 1%.
Kroger layoffs timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 2025 | About 1,000 corporate jobs cut after the Albertsons merger was blocked |
| September 2026 | Kroger lowers its identical-sales outlook to under 1% |
| October 12, 2026 | All-company call and CEO memo: about 3,000 corporate jobs to go over three years |
| Coming months | Affected employees to be told; cuts spread over several years |
Will there be WARN notices?
Large layoffs at a single site usually require a WARN notice 60 days in advance. Because Kroger is spreading the cuts over three years, notices may come in smaller batches. We track new state filings in our layoffs today feed. See also layoff notice rules by state.
What laid-off Kroger workers can do now
- Ask HR for your severance terms in writing before you sign anything.
- File for unemployment the week your job ends. In Ohio that is through unemployment.ohio.gov.
- Check your COBRA and 401(k) options.
- Read how to negotiate severance.
FAQ
How many jobs is Kroger cutting?
About 3,000 corporate jobs over three years, roughly 37% of its approximately 8,200 corporate employees.
Is Kroger laying off store workers?
No. The plan covers corporate roles only. Store and distribution jobs are not affected.
When did Kroger announce the layoffs?
On an all-company call on Monday, October 12, 2026, followed by a memo from CEO Greg Foran.
Is Kroger replacing jobs with AI?
Kroger has cited technology and simplification. It has not said how many roles will be replaced by AI.
Sources: AP, Cincinnati Business Courier, Supermarket News. Updated October 16, 2026. See something wrong? Tell us.