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Albertsons: Cuts shouldn't affect store level associates

| February 8, 2012 8:15 PM

The Minneapolis-based company that owns the Albertsons stores in Idaho, including the Coeur d'Alene and Hayden outlets, said it's cutting its national workforce by 800 positions.

The cuts by Supervalu Inc. will include more than 100 in Idaho. There are Albertsons stores at 220 Ironwood Drive, in Coeur d'Alene, and at 161 W. Prairie Ave., in Hayden.

Michael Siemienas, a spokesman for the company, told The Press, "In general, this announcement does not affect our store-level associates."

Supervalu said there are about 1,150 employees at the company's corporate offices in Boise, where about 130 people will lose their job by Feb. 25.

The Ironwood Drive Albertsons was remodeled late last year, including new flooring and roof, new self-checkout lanes, and expanded and rearranged aisles and sections.

The cuts affect positions in technology, finance and other departments. The cuts affect all company offices.

The reductions include not filling some open positions.

Supervalu officials said the cuts are part of the company's plan to reduce operating costs and minimize work duplication and inefficient processes.

Supervalu bought the Albertsons chain in 2006.

The company said employees whose positions are eliminated will be eligible for severance and outplacement services.

"These reductions are necessary to help further strengthen and accelerate Supervalu's business turnaround in a very competitive marketplace," said Craig Herkert, the company'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."

The company has approximately 135,000 employees.

Supervalu Inc. is one of the largest companies in the U.S. grocery channel with annual sales of approximately $37 billion. The company has a network of approximately 4,300 stores composed of 1,104 traditional retail stores, including 798 in-store pharmacies; 1,309 hard-discount stores, of which 922 are operated by licensee owners; and 1,900 independent stores serviced primarily by the company's traditional food distribution business.