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CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. announced job cuts affecting about 200 employees from its data analytics subsidiary, 84.51. The layoffs, revealed Thursday, are part of broader restructuring and a new e-commerce unit formation.
According to sources who spoke to WCPO, employees were notified of the job losses on March 11, when Kroger revealed the creation of its e-commerce division. Led by Chief Digital Officer Yael Cosset, the new unit aims to unify various teams involved in online customer engagement. While the company has not explicitly linked the layoffs to the restructuring, the timing suggests a connection.
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Kroger's second layoff wave in a month follows nationwide non-store position cuts in February, though specific figures weren't disclosed.
The affected unit, 84.51, analyzes customer data gathered from Kroger’s loyalty program. It uses this data to optimize promotions and assist consumer product suppliers in more effectively targeting shoppers. According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, after the layoffs, several software and data engineering professionals from 84.51 updated their LinkedIn profiles to indicate they were seeking new employment.
Kroger framed the job cuts as part of an ongoing efficiency drive.
“As we continue delivering fresh, affordable food to our customers, we are focusing on key priority areas that support our go-to-market strategy,” a company spokesperson said. “As part of this prioritization work, we announced team restructures and a small number of eliminated roles to improve efficiency.”
The layoffs come at a challenging time for Kroger. This month, CEO Rodney McMullen resigned amid an ethics investigation. Former Staples CEO Ron Sargent became interim CEO while searching for a successor.
