Kroger's Nashville Division Office to be Merged Into Offices in Atlanta, Louisville
CINCINNATI - The Kroger Co. on Tuesday said that its Nashville division will be merged early next year into Kroger division offices located in Atlanta and Louisville. The decision is part of the company's strategic growth plan.
Kroger's Nashville division operates 85 stores in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. As a result of the Nashville merger, the Louisville division will become the Mid-South division of Kroger. John Hackett, the Louisville division president, will lead the Mid-South division, which will continue to be located in Louisville, KY.
The Mid-South division will have a regional office in Nashville, which will ensure that local marketing and operating decisions will be kept close to the customer. Ron Spurlock, currently vice president of operations for the Nashville division, will become vice president of the Mid-South division and will head the office in Nashville.
The Nashville division office currently employs approximately 200 people. Some Nashville associates will have an opportunity to transfer to the Kroger offices in Louisville or to other positions within the company. For those who cannot, Kroger will provide a comprehensive and generous severance package based on years of service.
"We know this reduction in administrative staff will be very difficult for the associates involved," said Tom Rech, president of the Nashville division. "We are proud of the outstanding service they have provided to our stores. We will communicate fully with them about their individual positions and treat everyone with fairness and respect."
Following the merger, 55 of the Nashville division's stores will become part of the new Mid-South division. The 30 stores in Huntsville, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessee will become part of the Atlanta division, which is headed by Bruce Lucia.
Kroger's Nashville division operates 85 stores in Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama. As a result of the Nashville merger, the Louisville division will become the Mid-South division of Kroger. John Hackett, the Louisville division president, will lead the Mid-South division, which will continue to be located in Louisville, KY.
The Mid-South division will have a regional office in Nashville, which will ensure that local marketing and operating decisions will be kept close to the customer. Ron Spurlock, currently vice president of operations for the Nashville division, will become vice president of the Mid-South division and will head the office in Nashville.
The Nashville division office currently employs approximately 200 people. Some Nashville associates will have an opportunity to transfer to the Kroger offices in Louisville or to other positions within the company. For those who cannot, Kroger will provide a comprehensive and generous severance package based on years of service.
"We know this reduction in administrative staff will be very difficult for the associates involved," said Tom Rech, president of the Nashville division. "We are proud of the outstanding service they have provided to our stores. We will communicate fully with them about their individual positions and treat everyone with fairness and respect."
Following the merger, 55 of the Nashville division's stores will become part of the new Mid-South division. The 30 stores in Huntsville, Alabama and Knoxville, Tennessee will become part of the Atlanta division, which is headed by Bruce Lucia.