Supervalu to Streamline Independent Business Ops

Supervalu, Inc. is streamlining its independent business organization, consolidating it from three regions to two regions to form East and West teams.

The company has named Kevin Kemp president of the East region, based in Mechanicsville, Va.; the West region, headquartered in Hopkins, Minn., will be headed by Bill Chew.

“This change allows us to streamline the organization and reduce operating costs while ensuring our ongoing commitment to delivering excellent value, service and customer programs and offerings to our independent grocery customers nationwide," Jeff Swanson, director of corporate communications, told Progressive Grocer.

Supervalu said it anticipates reducing its employee workforce by approximately 200 positions throughout its independent business regional teams. The company expects to fill approximately 120 new independent business jobs resulting in a net workforce reduction of approximately 80 positions.

Impacted employees will have an opportunity to apply for open positions within the new organization, the company said. Those who do not have employement with Supervalu as a result of the transition will receive an offer of assistance.

Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Supervalu, Inc. operates 3,358 stores composed of 1,834 independent stores serviced primarily by the company’s food distribution business, 1,334 Save-A-Lot stores, of which 954 are operated by licensee owners; and 190 traditional retail grocery stores.