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Kroger plans to hire 18,000 associates for the holiday season, a 28% decrease from the previous year.
The reduced hiring follows the company's failed merger with Albertsons and signals a more cautious operational strategy.
To attract talent, Kroger is promoting benefits like tuition reimbursement up to $21,000, despite past reports of low pay and worker hardship.
Kroger plans to hire 18,000 associates for the holiday season, a sharp 28% drop from 2024, as the company adjusts its strategy following a failed merger with Albertsons and contends with reports of employee struggles.
Sweetening the deal: To attract talent in a competitive market, the grocery giant is promoting its benefits package, including competitive wages, healthcare plans, and up to $21,000 in tuition reimbursement that covers everything from high school equivalency diplomas to doctoral degrees.
Reality check: But the polished pitch contrasts with a 2022 report that cited low pay leaving some of its workforce food-insecure. That same report highlighted a benefits gap, with part-time employees receiving fewer perks than their full-time colleagues.
Kroger is tightening its belt and carefully managing its public image in the wake of its collapsed merger. The reduced hiring signals operational caution, while the benefits push shows the company is still fighting to attract talent despite its underlying labor challenges.
