The Kroger Co has announced plans to combine its two retail divisions, headquartered in Livonia MI and Columbus OH. This consolidation will enable the company to reduce operating costs, improve administrative efficiencies, and invest more capital in the core grocery business to drive sales growth.
Kroger’s Michigan division operates 113 stores under the Kroger and Kessel Food Markets banners in Michigan, while the Columbus division operates 116 stores under the Kroger banner in central and northwestern Ohio and parts of West Virginia.
Jon Flora, currently president of Kroger’s Michigan division, will lead the combined division of 229 stores and will relocate to Columbus. M Marnette Perry, currently president of the Columbus division, has been promoted to group vice-president of perishables merchandising and procurement for the company and will join Kroger’s senior management team as a corporate officer in Cincinnati OH.
The company will maintain the regional office in Livonia. Gary Raymond, currently vice-president of operations in Michigan, and Terry Frey, vice-president of merchandising, will lead the regional office and continue reporting to Flora.
Kroger employs about 12,500 associates in its Michigan division stores and 14,500 in its Columbus division stores. Combining the divisions will not affect any of those employees’ positions.
