Kroger is yes closing stores around the area. Google search and you'll find a list of closing stores. Transfer to another store to keep your job of find a new job.
In reality the company does not run "neighborhood" stores anymore and any store not in the black is on the chopping block. If your have seniority and able to keep the hours you like and position in another store, just make the move and see if its a good fit. I'm not sure what benefits the company offers with store closing, but I can only bet severance is not offered if there is another location near. Most of the time, the company keeps these locations open until the lease is up (the company is still liable for the rent). With paying money, its better to be a little in the red and keep the store open, rather then close the store and be liable for all rent/expenses without revenue being generated.
With some of these locations I'm surprised some of these locations are not turned into a Rulers. No thrills, limited assortment, elimination of the union.....
They're closing 14 stores, but haven't said where. This economy ain't looking good for anyone in the retail/grocery business. There's an outdoor mall up the street from us and it's mostly empty somedays leading up the weekend. The sad truth is our generation don't have the disposable income like we use to due to falling wages and some of the best manufacturing jobs being outsourced overseas. Hell, even app jobs pay more than starter nightstocker pay at my store. I've told management that you can't keep people if you're paying them the same wages from 10 years ago. Noone can live off 8.00 dollars an hour or even 11.00 without some support added. My suggestion is look for a trade or merchandiser work, that's where the money is right now.
Talking about the changing retail/ business culture..... I'm kinda depressed with all the places that are not 24/7 or all the places I remember growing up in the 80's/90's that are not around anymore. Basically now everyone buys their food/clothing at the same places, and if you need to get "food on the go" there are like 10 national places that that control the market! I started working at the Min. Wage was $7.15, the national Min. Wage is what now? $7.25?
Minimum wage is meant to be a starting point, not a goal or career.
The internet is part of the problem, but also these big box one stop places which have been building for years. I disagree about no disposable income- the problem is many younger people have no clue how to budget and spend their money on useless stuff and $12 burnt coffee at Starbucks.
This economy ain't looking good for anyone in the retail/grocery business. [...] our generation don't have the disposable income like we use to due to falling wages
What does a bad economy or disposable income have to do with the fact that every human on earth needs to eat if they want to continue living? I would have thought grocery was one of the more reliable jobs out there.
Grocery is a very reliable industry, the issues is every company trying to undercut every other company. With every company basically being held hostage by Wall Street, making a profit and running a great store is no longer the only requirement. Yes, growth is great and desirable, you cant grown everything all the time and expect all numbers to increase. In reality CEO's are only accountable to one group, bankers, financial industry and Investors. Disposable Income has always been around and incorporated into a living wage, but the level hasn't kept up with the advancement in technology or cultural standards. How long ago did people first start having Cell Phone Bills, Internet/Cable Bills, Purchases at a touch of a button, being connected 24/7, all have a cost, which hasn't been factored into wages in a long while.
I'd say that things aren't looking good for the grocery industry, and for Kroger in particular.
Do you have a reasonable position at Kroger, and is there a non-closing store nearby?
If so, you might as we well transfer while you plan on learning to do something else.
If not, it's you might as well seek employment elsewhere. Kroger is the fourth worst paying corporation in America, so you honestly can't do much worse.
Amazon is gearing up to eat the grocery industry alive, and Kroger is panicking. Innovation is difficult and expensive (and especially in the face of dysfunctional and oblivious corporate culture), so Kroger is is cutting hours down into the very marrow while they try to spin up robotic warehouses, self driving automated delivery services, Scam Bag Go, Kroger Pickup, digital shelf tags, Advantage Checkout, and everything else. Sure, everyone needs groceries, but what is the absolutely minimum number of employees you need in a store before things become unprofitable? With Kroger's "One size fits all NO MATTER WHAT" approach, a lot more stores are going to get there and end up closing.
Blah blah blah falling wages iPhones and Starbucks! A house, wife, two kids and two cars by age 25 isn't a thing anymore. The price of education and housing has absolutely exploded while wages have remained stagnant for decades. While iPhones and Starbucks perhaps aren't the greatest use of one's money, they don't exactly cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
No one is forcing you to have cable TV, internet, or a cell phone. Besides, the cell phone has replaced the high priced landline, so that is partly a wash. Dont buy an $800 phone.
The problem with education is government involvement, as most institutions are not private. Everytime the government gets their hands in something, prices skyrocket. It doesnt help many colleges offer absolutely useless courses as electives.
Talking about the changing retail/ business culture..... I'm kinda depressed with all the places that are not 24/7 or all the places I remember growing up in the 80's/90's that are not around anymore. Basically now everyone buys their food/clothing at the same places, and if you need to get "food on the go" there are like 10 national places that that control the market! I started working at the Min. Wage was $7.15, the national Min. Wage is what now? $7.25?
This economy ain't looking good for anyone in the retail/grocery business. [...] our generation don't have the disposable income like we use to due to falling wages
What does a bad economy or disposable income have to do with the fact that every human on earth needs to eat if they want to continue living? I would have thought grocery was one of the more reliable jobs out there.
You don't see rising inflation, rent, housing and car prices? We're not doing good right now in this country. Even Dollar Tree is struggling and you know what these corporations are doing? Nothing at all. It'd be great if we all were given a 3 to 5 dollar raise. We'd be able to shop more and buy things. For most rent will be taken cared of, you'll have happier employees too, but that's not the case anymore. One of the guys that use to work with us worked for a year to save up for a car and started doing Uber. He makes the equivalent of 20 dollars an hour. I seen his pay for Uber/lyft each week between the two making more than 1,000 a week. I'm not being the bearer of bad news, but these little app jobs are paying more than traditional working employment.
At the end of the day like one poster said that groceries will never die. Markets have been here since the beginning of earth, but big changes are coming and more people will be seeking employment through apps, online or tradework. The baby-boomer way in you get a good job Billy, buy a house, a car and everything else under the sun with a one job salary days are gone.
-- Edited by OvernightHero on Wednesday 24th of April 2019 09:18:56 AM
-- Edited by OvernightHero on Wednesday 24th of April 2019 09:24:47 AM
Grocery is a very reliable industry, the issues is every company trying to undercut every other company. With every company basically being held hostage by Wall Street, making a profit and running a great store is no longer the only requirement. Yes, growth is great and desirable, you cant grown everything all the time and expect all numbers to increase. In reality CEO's are only accountable to one group, bankers, financial industry and Investors. Disposable Income has always been around and incorporated into a living wage, but the level hasn't kept up with the advancement in technology or cultural standards. How long ago did people first start having Cell Phone Bills, Internet/Cable Bills, Purchases at a touch of a button, being connected 24/7, all have a cost, which hasn't been factored into wages in a long while.
How long ago did people start being forced to buy cell phones and internet/cable service to be connected 24/7? The cost of those are irrelevant because they are luxuries that minimum wage can not afford. If these entry level workers would get their priorities straight they would find it is %100 feasible to live on minimum wage anywhere in the states. And if you budget and still cant manage you need to move to a more prosperous area or become more skilled instead of asking the government for a handout.
HA, If you want to make a bet......How about you live on Min. wage for 4 months and see what you can afford? Rent, Transportation, Utilities or any then FOOD... Min Wage of $7.25 an hours X 40 Hours = $290 a week Remember with taxes you are lucky to take home $225 a week.
