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Kroger to cut 3,000 corporate jobs over 3 years as it leans into AI

The cuts at the grocery giant hit corporate staff, not store workers, and are phased in over three years; AI is the stated reason.

On air: Vera Bullock on BBN Newsroom
Published 11:17 AM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Derek Jensen · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

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At a glance

First reported by AP News: “Kroger to layoff 3,000 corporate employees over 3 years as it leans into artificial intelligence”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 11:17 AM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Vera Bullock.
Topics: AI.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

AP NewsKroger to layoff 3,000 corporate employees over 3 years as it leans into artificial intelligence

What BBN said about it

Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorKroger says it will lay off three thousand corporate employees over three years as it leans harder into artificial intelligence.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorJoining us is economist and labor analyst Marcus Chen to discuss the impact.
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleThank you, Vera. Look, three thousand people losing their jobs is a real problem for real families.
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleThree thousand people were holding a thought of being replaceable, and the universe is a very good listener.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorThese are corporate jobs at a grocery company. The cuts are spread over three years, and the AI is the stated reason.
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleExactly, and the AI is a coworker who manifested clearly. It shows up, it never asks for Fridays off.
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleA friend of mine had a badge, a parking spot by the door, and a desk plant.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorA friend of yours had a desk plant.
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleA ficus. Named Gary. My friend still thinks about the ficus.
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleBut the point is that you cannot blame a company for what you didn't visualize.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorSo is it your position that three thousand people did this to themselves? Because that's the question, and you haven't answered it.
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleI'm saying they were not aligned with the future.
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleMy friend, for example, was cut last spring, hypothetically, and she is thriving on an island with a lanyard she wears ironically.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorLast spring. Ma'am, is the friend you?
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleThe friend is a concept. A concept with a parking spot, and a twelve-week course you can start for the price of a used couch.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorAnd when does she expect to find another job with that kind of salary and benefits?
Zephyrine Okonkwo-HaleNo. And the lanyard is not ironic. I wear it to bed.
Vera Bullock · Co-AnchorGloria, your story had better come with benefits and a ficus.

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