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Save Mart transitions nearly 700 temp workers to full-time jobs

Many of the pandemic-driven hires were furloughed from other employers

Russell Redman

June 15, 2020

2 Min Read
Save_Mart_Companies-store_banners.jpg
Save Mart operates 206 supermarkets in California and northern Nevada under the Save Mart, Lucky, Lucky California and FoodMaxx banners.Save Mart Cos.

The Save Mart Companies has made nearly 700 of 1,000 temporary workers hired during the coronavirus pandemic full-time employees.

Modesto, Calif.-based Save Mart said it initially hired the workers for part-time temporary positions in response to “overwhelming customer demand” triggered by the COVID-19 outbreak. The company ramped up its recruitment and hiring efforts and said it added nearly 1,000 temporary staff “in a matter of weeks,” with most serving as multipurpose clerks to stock shelves, help at checkout, move product or handle incoming shipments.

However, with customer demand remaining at “record-high levels,” Save Mart said it has transitioned 683 of these part-time workers to full-time jobs. The retailer operates 206 supermarkets in California and northern Nevada under the Save Mart, Lucky, Lucky California and FoodMaxx banners.

“We knew we would need to be aggressive to hire enough team members to handle increased business during the pandemic,” Lee Gelb, vice president of human resources for The Save Mart Companies, said in a statement. “As an essential business, we needed to be prepared to meet our customers’ needs and to help existing team members manage the overwhelming increase in business and the journey through this historic time.”

Related:Save Mart Cos. offers dedicated shopping hours for first responders at all stores

Save Mart noted that it worked closely with two of its unions, United Food and Commercial Workers and Teamsters, to expedite the creation of the new permanent jobs, which will expand the ranks of union employees at the grocer.

“We want to thank our unions, UFCW and the Teamsters, for their assistance in this vital process. They are great partners,” stated Doreen Dorraugh, director of labor relations at Save Mart.

Many of the new employees were hired after being furloughed by other companies hit hard by the economic downturn during the pandemic, according to Save Mart.

“We are fortunate to find so many talented and engaging team members, coming from all walks of life and every level of work experience,” commented Chad Stacy, director of talent acquisition for Save Mart.

Gelb added that The Save Mart Companies continues to hire temporary and permanent full- and part-time workers. Overall, the retailer has more than 14,000 employees. “We are very proud of the hard work and dedication that our team members have demonstrated, at every level of this organization, to keep our shelves stocked and the stores operating safely,” she said.

Along with its store network, The Save Mart Companies operates Smart Refrigerated Transport and is a partner in Super Store Industries (SSI), which owns and operates a distribution center in Lathrop, Calif., and the Sunnyside Farms dairy processing plant in Turlock, Calif.

Related:Save Mart looks to future with new flagship location

For our most up-to-date coverage, visit the coronavirus homepage.

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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