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Hy-Vee revamps store management structure, ends 24-hour operation

Moves by Midwestern chain expected to lead to staff reductions at stores

Russell Redman

February 21, 2020

3 Min Read
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Hy-Vee is restructuring store-level management and ceasing 24-hour operation at most stores, moves that are expected to result in job cuts.

This week, Hy-Vee announced that some of its store directors will become district store directors, who will oversee several stores and mentor store managers. Also, some store directors will become store managers.

The West Des Moines, Iowa-based grocer, with more than 265 stores in eight Midwestern states, said the changes aim to bolster training and succession planning in the store management career path.

“The store manager position will help better prepare those who want to become store directors/district store directors in the future. The store manager will also have oversight of the day-to-day operations at his/her store,” Hy-Vee said in a statement. “This is part of our effort to remain the best place to build a career in retail and ensure all store directors have the training they need before being selected for the role.”

Going forward, some Hy-Vee locations may have both a store manager and a district store director, who has responsibility multiple stores, including daily operations, spokeswoman Christina Gayman said in an email. However, no stores will have both a store manager and a store director. Current store directors will continue to operate their individual stores.

Related:Hy-Vee buys four QuikTrip c-store locations

When asked if the changes will lead to layoffs, Gayman said, “Stores are evaluating their staffing at this time.”

This month, Hy-Vee also began phasing out 24-hour operation at many stores. Plans reportedly call for most locations to be closed to shoppers between midnight and 5 a.m. The retailer said the move better reflects customer shopping habits and will improve its restocking processes.

“The decision to no longer remain open 24 hours a day and move our business hours to align with consumer shopping trends created an opportunity to reorganize both our overnight and daytime stocking procedures,” Hy-Vee explained. “This will make a difference to our customers, as the majority of our stocking will be done during times when customers are not shopping, helping to keep our aisles clear of clutter so customers can have a more pleasant shopping experience in our stores.”

At the same time, the curtailed shopping hours “allowed us to re-evaluate how we operate our stores so that we can become more efficient,” according to Hy-Vee.

“Because of this, store directors will be making staffing changes over the upcoming weeks — which could include promotions, reallocations or reductions — to reflect the needs of their individual store,” the company said.

Related:More Dollar Fresh locations coming from Hy-Vee

In addition, Hy-Vee said 30 in-store dietitians will transfer to the corporate health and wellness team to support companywide programs. “We will still allow our store directors to implement their dietetic programs locally,” the retailer reported.

Hy-Vee noted that the moves are part of a recently launched corporate initiative dubbed Helpful Smile 2020, which the company said has a goal of “keeping Hy-Vee the best place to work and shop in America.”

“Today, the retail grocery industry continues to evolve and be incredibly competitive. Therefore, our local stores are making some changes to become more efficient while continuing to elevate our customers’ experience,” Hy-Vee stated. “We value our employees and customers and want to be the best place to work and shop. Our industry is continually evolving, which is why it’s imperative that we evolve with it.”

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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