AM I NEXT? IS THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL AT KROGER & ALBERTSONS?

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies to merge two complementary grocery organizations with iconic brands and deep roots in their local communities to establish a national footprint and unite around Kroger's Purpose to Feed the Human Spirit.

Under the terms of the merger agreement, which has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of each company, Kroger will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Albertsons Companiesfor approximately $24.6 billion, including the assumption of approximately $4.7 billion of Albertsons net debt.

Like all mergers, there will be store closures and mass layoffs as the companies resolve duplicative functions and services.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. We see good people being laid off through no fault of their own. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE AT KROGER

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger, one of the largest supermarket chains offering groceries and non-foods merchandise, appears to be contemplating a restructuring and reduction in force that will see hundreds of middle-management and support personnel facing layoffs.

According to a company spokesperson, "As part of ongoing talent management, many store operating divisions are evaluating middle management roles and team structures with an eye toward keeping resources close to the customer. Store divisions operate independently but all of them are taking steps to ensure they have the right talent in the right store leadership positions."

The company is continuing to invest in home delivery and online ordering to compete with Amazon, Walmart, Albertsons, and smaller local chains.

Change is coming. There will always be a tomorrow, no matter how much you may try to ignore it. There are no guarantees in life or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere. No one is guaranteed to wake up tomorrow and still have a job by evening. Are you now wondering, Am I Next?

AM I NEXT? NO LOVE -- LAYOFFS AT KROGER

Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger, the largest supermarket chain by revenue, has announced the closure of its 190,000-square-foot building Columbus, Ohio bakery and the layoff of 411 workers.

The decision appears to have been based on an aging facility first opened in 1928.

A Kroger spokesperson noted, “After evaluation of the equipment and layout of the plant, it became clear that the outdated layout and age of the equipment were no longer sustainable for us to remain competitive.

Production at the plant will cease immediately and the process of decommissioning its operations is expected to take 60 – 90 days. To keep competitive with the markets nowadays, we have to make some tough decisions.

Workers will be paid for 60 days before receiving severance based on years of service per their collective bargaining agreement with the company.” The property will be sold and the work transitioned to other facilities or farmed out to third-party contract bakers.

There are no guarantees in life, or promises for a bright future. Just because something bad hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it won't. It can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere ... are you now wondering, Am I Next?