Amazon has cut select jobs at its Amazon Fresh grocery stores, reports CNBC. Hundreds of employees have been laid off as a result.
The company shared that it has eliminated the zone lead role, a lower-level management position that is responsible for overseeing specific store departments and facilitating new employee training. This is part of the company’s restructuring strategy for its in-store staffing and operations.
“Like any retailer, we periodically assess our stores’ organizational needs and make decisions to increase efficiencies for our employees and deliver customer value,” Jessica Martin, an Amazon spokesperson, said in a statement. “As a result, we’ve decided to evolve our in-store staffing and operations model to better serve our customers and teams.”
The company has had difficulties finding success in its brick-and-mortar strategy. CEO Andy Jassy said earlier this year that it would close some Fresh and Go stores to control costs.
One of the affected storefronts includes the U.K.’s first cashier-less Amazon Fresh grocery store located in London, which shut down alongside two other U.K.-based locations.
"While we decided to close three Amazon Fresh stores, it doesn't mean we won't grow—this year, we will open new Amazon Fresh stores to better serve customers in the greater London area," Amazon shared in a statement. Full Story
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