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Save A Lot to hire 1,000 workers to meet coronavirus-triggered demand
Discount supermarket chain cites ‘unprecedented levels of business and demand’
Russell Redman
March 20, 2020
3 Min Read
Save A Lot said it aims to hire the workers as quickly as possible and, to that end, has treamlined the employment process.Save A Lot
Discount grocer Save A Lot has launched a crash program to add 1,000 or more jobs in its retail and distribution centers nationwide in response to what it called “unprecedented levels of business and demand” from the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
St. Louis-based Save A Lot said Friday that the hiring blitz is effective immediately, “with a goal of hiring as many as 1,000 new employees as quickly as possible.” To that end, the grocery chain has streamlined the employment process, so that many of the workers hired could start the same day or the next day.
“Save A Lot is committed to continuing to provide high-quality products and great value to our friends, families and communities across the country. Now more than ever, our teams are working around the clock in our distribution centers, stores and offices to keep shelves stocked so that we can serve customers,” President and CEO Kenneth McGrath said in a statement. “I am very grateful for the amazing team members we have across the organization and their outstanding commitment to our customers. It takes many hands to feed America, and we need more hands.”
To fill the additional jobs, Save A Lot is also making a pitch to workers displaced or laid off by businesses impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
Recently displaced workers and those who have been temporarily laid off due to the coronavirus pandemic are “strongly encouraged to apply,” Save A Lot noted.
The restaurant, foodservice and hospitality sectors are among the business sectors hardest-hit by the coronavirus crisis. The National Restaurant Association reported Wednesday that the restaurant industry stands to lose at least $225 billion over the next three months and cut 5 million to 7 million jobs due to COVID-19. And on Friday, the International Foodservice Distributors Association projected the industry will lose $24 billion over the next three months as the spread of the virus shuts down restaurants, schools and hotels.
“We know that there are many talented, displaced workers in our communities right now,” McGrath said, “and we want to bring as many as 1,000 new employees aboard quickly to help with this important work to serve our communities.”
Other coronavirus measures taken by Save A Lot include increased the frequency of cleaning surfaces throughout stores to protect employee and customer health, as well as the implementation of temporary purchase limits on high-demand products.
In addition, at most locations on a daily basis, the retailer has reserved the first hour after the store opens each for shopping by seniors, customers with disabilities and their caregivers. Please check your local store for participation and details. And with increased demand in stores, hours of operation at some locations may be adjusted to give associates extra time to clean and restock shelves.
Owned by Canadian private-equity firm Onex Corp., Save A Lot has 14 distribution centers and more than 1,100 stores in 33 states, with the vast majority of the retail locations licensed by independent grocers.
For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.
