Supervalu Asks for Unpaid Time Off

Supervalu Inc. is offering all its corporate employees unpaid time off between now and Feb. 26, the Minneapolis-based grocer announced.

The voluntary money-saving program offer extends to all Supervalu-owned supermarket chains, including Jewel-Osco, Save-a-Lot, Acme, Cub Foods and Albertson’s, the Chicago Tribune reported.

The program is directed at office employees, not grocery-store workers; union employees cannot be forced to take unpaid time off.

The announcement comes on the heels of news earlier this week that Supervalu would be closing about 20 underperforming stores in New England, Philadelphia and the West Coast, including those part of its Shaw’s and Acme chains.

Supervalu was one of several grocers announcing multiple store closings this week in response to increased competition from other regional and national chains.