Fear & Loading: Anti-Gun Kroger Layoffs

by
posted on October 16, 2019
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
kroeger_layoffs.jpg

Publicly traded Kroger Company—which counts among its major subsidiaries Kroger grocery stores, Harris Teeter, Ralphs and the Fred Meyer chain that exited the gun and ammunition business last year—is laying off hundreds of employees, according to CNBC and Supermarket News. The firm operates 2,759 stores in 35 states and the District of Columbia, including nearly 800 convenience shops in 18 states. The corporation employs more than 440,000 people.

The company’s Fred Meyers chain caught the attention of Second Amendment supporters in 2018 when it stopped selling firearms and ammunition in its stores. The entire Kroger family of businesses pulled periodicals that feature modern sporting rifles from their shelves later the same year. Last month it went a step further by enacting a no-open-carry policy in its stores, regardless of legality. “Kroger has demonstrated with our actions that we recognize the growing chorus of Americans who are no longer comfortable with the status quo and who are advocating for concrete and common sense gun reforms,” Kroger Group Vice President of Corporate Affairs Jessica Adelman wrote in an announcement e-mailed to CNBC.  

An official statement explains this month’s layoffs. “Store operating divisions are constantly evolving to ensure they build the teams and leaders who will deliver an amazing experience for customers and associates both now and in the future. 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.” The announcement came only a week after a boycott of Oregon and southwest Washington Fred Meyer stores ended with officials from Fred Meyer, Albertsons, QFC and Safeway—all part of the Kroger group—reaching an agreement with the United Food and Retail Clerks Union on a new, 3-year labor contract.

Two weeks before news of the staff reduction surfaced, Kroger’s second-quarterly report for 2019 indicated sales grew by 0.5 percent when compared to the same period in 2018.  For the first half of its 2019 reporting year, overall sales were down by 0.5 percent.

Latest

Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web
Gotw Wilson Combat Divison 77 Project 1 Web

Gun Of The Week: Wilson Combat Division 77 Project 1

Join American Rifleman staff on the range in this video to get a closer look at Wilson Combat’s somewhat cryptically named “Division 77 Project 1.” 

The Armed Citizen® July 18, 2025

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Review: POF-USA LMR BASE Rifle

The Patriot Ordnance Factory LMR Base offers a .308 Win. chambering in a lightweight, AR-15-size package, which makes it a capable platform for today's new gun owner. And it comes at a fair price.

2025 Accessory Of The Year: Wyoming Sight Drifter

For each of the past 23 years, the editors of American Rifleman have convened to select our top picks for the past year’s best and most innovative products. Here are the most recent winners.

Henry Donates Rifles To Support Young Leukemia Victim

Henry Repeating Arms has donated a limited run of 50 “Team Keane” Golden Boy .22 lever-action rifles to support 13-year-old Keane Rhodes of Universal City, Texas, who is currently undergoing aggressive treatment for ALL T-cell leukemia.

Rifleman Review: Springfield Armory Echelon

Springfield Armory introduced its Echelon in 2023, bringing a modernized, chassis-style, striker-fired handgun to the market that has since seen several notable line extensions.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.