Kroger cuts 1,500 jobs

America's largest grocer, Kroger, has said it will cut 1,500 jobs at its 2,300 supermarkets.

The job cuts will be part of the company's cost-cutting plan, Kroger said.

The belt-tightening comes despite a 3.8% rise in sales to $11.38bn during the July to September quarter, compared with the same period last year.

The grocer earned $258.6m during the three months to September, up from $233m a year earlier.

The company expects earnings to rise about 50% during the last three months of 2001.