Jewel-Osco to cut 110 store directors, change admin structure

Jewel-Osco, based in Itasca, said Friday it plans to cut 110 store directors to change its management structure.

The grocery chain is doing the realignment to "become more efficient and competitive in the marketplace," said company spokeswoman Karen May.

"Historically, Jewel-Osco has operated its retail locations with two store directors, one to manage the Jewel food side of the business and another to handle Osco drug operations," she said. "The company will move to a new structure in which the standard will include a single store director who is responsible for the entire store operation."

Jewel-Osco, owned by Supervalu, has been in a price war since last spring with Dominick's Finer Foods and other grocery stores to woo back the recession-weary consumer. Jewel-Osco operates 185 stores in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana.

Affected workers will receive a severance package, she said.