Hundreds of Layoffs at Acme

Pa.-based Acme Markets to lay off 900 workers in 4 states.

Acme Markets says it's laying off 900 workers at its stores in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.

The company, which has about 14,000 employees at its 117 stores, says the layoffs will take effect May 7 and affect part-time workers, mostly those who work 12 to 16 hours a week.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports the decision comes two weeks after Acme's parent company, Minnesota-based Supervalu, reported that sales in the last quarter fell once again at its supermarket chains in the Northeast.

Dan Sanders, president of Malvern-based Acme, said in a statement that the company needed to take the action because it has more associates than it needs for the current level of sales.

“Last year, ACME established an aggressive plan aimed at getting our business in line with our financial realities. As part of that initiative, we continue to look at the best ways to achieve success around our strategy to lower prices, improve customer service, reinvest in the business and align our workforce with today’s customer needs and economic realities. We are beginning to see positive results in some areas, but we still face significant sales challenges. Unfortunately, we have more associates than we need to serve our current level of sales, and we must take immediate action to change our business.”

Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter also weighed in on the jobs cuts at the grocery chain.

“In these times when the national economy has still not achieved a healthy level of growth, it’s sad but very real reminder of the economic crisis to hear that the management of Acme Markets was required to lay off so many part-time employees in the Philadelphia region. Times are tough and businesses as well as the public sector have had to respond by reducing costs and realigning their workforces. As an administration we will do all we can to help Philadelphia families who are coping with this painful change.”

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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