Dive Brief:
- Kroger has launched a campaign to fill “thousands” of jobs ahead of the holidays and is positioning those roles as opportunities for people to build long-term careers with the grocery chain.
- In a Monday press release, the grocer said it is recruiting candidates for retail, e-commerce, supply chain, merchandising, manufacturing, logistics, pharmacy, healthcare and corporate positions.
- Kroger is looking to bring on a significant number of new employees during the coming weeks against a backdrop of an employment market that has remained robust even as economists warn a downturn may be on the horizon.
Dive Insight:
Kroger’s messaging around its hiring spree resembles announcements it had issued during pushes earlier in 2022 and last year to attract workers. But the company’s pitch to potential employees this time comes with a decided twist.
While the retailer has in the past focused on one-day recruitment events and highlighted the specific number of workers it was seeking to quickly add to its payroll, Kroger’s latest effort to expand its employment base will be spread over several weeks and underscores the company’s interest in finding workers interested in staying put for an extended length of time.
"As we prepare for a memorable holiday season for our associates and customers, we are seeking to hire new associates, not just for the season but to join the Kroger Family of Companies and embark on a career," Tim Massa, senior vice president and chief people officer at Kroger, said in a statement.
Kroger has begun holding virtual hiring events and will continue to engage online with prospective workers for salaried and hourly roles through November, the company said in the press release.
The retailer, which employs around 450,000 workers, is also appealing to people fresh out of school with a five-week “early talent career series,” which will delve into its internship program and diversity initiatives and offer participants the chance to see how various departments operate.
As it has in the past, Kroger is also highlighting benefits like tuition reimbursement, on-demand training, and health and wellness resources. The grocer also noted that a program started in February 2021 under which it gives associates who get fully vaccinated against COVID-19 a $100 one-time payment remains in place.
In August 2021, Kroger unveiled a training system for associates that offers customized learning experiences that reflect workers’ individual needs. The system, developed by Canadian employee-training company Axonify, is based on a mobile app that provides game-oriented training sessions on a variety of topics.
Last month, Kroger announced that it has expanded a financial counseling service offered in partnership with Goldman Sachs Ayco to more employees.
