Adjustments to Hy-Vee’s store management career path and reduced hours for stores will result in some staffing changes.
Hy-Vee released a statement outlining some of the moves, prefacing the information by noting that the retail industry “continues to evolve and be incredibly competitive.”
The company described the store management career path changes as a way to “(strengthen) our training and succession planning.”
Under the new structure, some store directors will now be district store directors — overseeing several stores and mentoring store managers — and some store directors will now be store managers, according to the statement.
“The store manager position will help better prepare those who want to become store directors/district store directors in the future,” Hy-Vee wrote. “The store manager will also have oversight of the day-to-day operations at his/her store. 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.”
Hy-Vee previously had announced it would no longer keep stores open 24 hours a day, and it noted in its statement that closing will allow it to reorganize its stocking procedures.
“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,” Hy-Vee wrote. “This move also allowed us to reevaluate how we operate our stores so that we can become more efficient.
“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,” Hy-Vee wrote.
In one more change, 30 of the company’s in-store dietitians will be moved to the corporate team “to support our health and wellness programs across the company,” according to the statement. Hy-Vee wrote that it will still allow store directors to “implement their dietetic programs locally.”
The retailer concluded its statement with one more nod to the competitive landscape.
“Our industry is continually evolving,” Hy-Vee wrote, “which is why it’s imperative that we evolve with it.”
Related
Walmart, Hy-Vee battle for Midwest
Hy-Vee to spend $90 million on fulfillment center, store remodels
2018 Produce Retailer of the Year — Mike Orf with Hy-Vee