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May 9, 2008 - 4:27PM
Bashas’ cuts 100 employees
Comments | RecommendMarshall Terrill, Tribune
The country’s economic downturn and the rising cost to do business have forced a local grocer to bag approximately 100 employees.
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Chandler-based Bashas’ announced a less than 1 percent reduction of its 13,000 workforce on Friday, May 2. Citing a combination of uncontrollable factors such as a downturn in the economy and the rising cost of food, energy, fuel and health care, the supermarket chain said it had no other alternative.
"It’s a challenging time for local businesses, and the grocery industry is no exception," said Mike Proulx, Bashas’ president and chief operating officer. "We’re streamlining our operations and rightsizing our company due to this economic downturn."
Kristy Nied, Bashas’ spokesperson, said some administrative job functions at the grocer’s Ocotillo headquarters in south Chandler have been consolidated while other positions at its Chandler distribution center and training and development center in south Phoenix have been eliminated.
Nied said approximately 100 employees were let go but were offered a severance package and have been put on a preferential hiring list for positions as they become available. She also said employees will also get first priority for jobs that are currently open.
Proulx said Bashas’ has faced challenging economic times and the company will remain strong.
"We will continue to focus our resources on our stores and on providing value to our shoppers," Proulx said. "We’re doing the things that we have to do to ensure that we will serve Arizona for many years to come."
Nied said the company does not plan on closing any of its stores and will open three new stores later this year.
Founded in 1932, Bashas’ is the eighth largest employer in the state and operates more than 160 grocery stores in Arizona.
For more information, go to www.bashas.com.
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