WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — Shaw's Supermarkets, a subsidiary of Supervalu, on Friday announced plans to reduce its store-level workforce by an estimated 700 positions. These reductions, which will occur across 169 Shaw's and Star Market stores in New England, and will be finalized by Nov. 3, the grocer stated. 

“A decision of this nature is never easy, but after careful evaluation, it is unfortunately the necessary step for us to take to help improve our business, reduce expenses and reinvest in more customer-facing initiatives,” stated Mike Stigers, president of Shaw's. “As we continue to look at the best ways to achieve success, we recognized an opportunity to align our workforce to more effectively serve the marketplace by scheduling team members more appropriately to serve customers at the times they shop. These changes will help us to compete more effectively in a rapidly changing marketplace.”