Kroger plans to cut about 3,000 corporate roles over three years as it expands AI use

What was reported

Kroger, one of the largest US grocery chains, plans to cut about 3,000 corporate roles over the next three years, according to a memo from chief executive Greg Foran that Reuters saw on 12 October 2026.¹ Bloomberg News first reported the plan, Reuters said.¹ Investing.com, citing Bloomberg and Dow Jones, reports that Foran announced the decision in a company-wide address on Monday.²

The cuts would affect about 37% of Kroger’s roughly 8,200 corporate employees.¹² Store staff are not part of the figure.

What the memo says

Foran wrote that Kroger should “reduce duplicative work and adapt with technology”, according to Reuters.¹ Investing.com quotes the memo as saying: “Simplifying means making faster decisions and deploying more resources where they matter most.”²

Kroger says the savings will go towards lower prices, the in-store experience and frontline staff.¹² Which departments and roles are affected will be shared in the coming months.¹²

The AI link

Reuters notes that last month Kroger set out an AI strategy that includes using models to manage workflows and using customer data to power tools such as its AI shopping assistant.¹ Kroger has not said how many of the cuts are directly due to AI.

Context

Foran became chief executive in February.¹² Reuters reports that Kroger has lowered its annual sales target and plans to cut prices to compete with Walmart and Aldi, and that it cut about 1,000 corporate roles in 2025.¹

What is not known

Which teams will be affected, how many cuts are linked to AI, and whether there will be voluntary options.