"We believe this is an important step to evolve Whole Foods Market in a rapidly changing marketplace," said Walter Robb, co-CEO of Whole Foods Market.
Whole Foods file photoIn an effort to reduce prices in its stores, Whole Foods announced Monday it will cut roughly 1,500 jobs over the next two months.
"We believe this is an important step to evolve Whole Foods Market in a rapidly changing marketplace," said Walter Robb, the co-CEO of Whole Foods Market.
The grocery store chain said in a statement it has added more than 9,000 jobs over the past year and expects many of those affected by the job reduction, which accounts for 1.6 percent for its total workforce, to find employments elsewhere within the company.
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The affected workers were also offered the option of transition pay or a severance package, according to Robb.
The company also said the cuts will allows the stores to "invest in technology upgrades while improving its cost structure."
The cuts come two months after the grocery chain's brand took a hit in an overcharging scandal at some of its food stores in New York.
In another customer cost-reduction initiative, the company announced over the summer it would be launching a new smaller and more affordable set of concept stores, 365 by Whole Foods Market, to compete in the growing organic food industry.
The grocery store chain employs about 91,000 people at its 431 stores in the U.S., U.K. and Canada -- 10 of which are located in New Jersey.
In June, officials broke ground for a new location in Newark. Another store is also in development in Closter, according to the company's website.
Craig McCarthy may be reached at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
