GITNUXREPORT 2025

Hr In The Grocery Industry Statistics

Grocery industry faces high turnover, automation, staffing challenges, and evolving HR strategies.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Grocery chains spend nearly 4% of their revenue on employee training annually

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Training programs in grocery stores include onboarding, safety protocols, and product knowledge

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50% of grocery retailers have implemented mental health support programs for employees

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62% of grocery workers feel the need for better career development opportunities

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48% of grocery stores are actively seeking to reduce employee turnover through improved HR strategies

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55% of grocery employees have expressed interest in additional training for digital tools

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The average onboarding process for new grocery employees lasts about 3 days

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The average skill level score of grocery HR teams, assessed through competency surveys, increased by 12% over the past 2 years

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The turnover rate in the grocery sector is approximately 65%

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The median tenure for grocery store employees is 2.2 years

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40% of grocery employees report experiencing high levels of job stress

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75% of grocery employees surveyed prefer flexible scheduling options

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80% of grocery store workers report feeling satisfied with their job

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Less than 10% of grocery jobs offer full benefits including health insurance

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Grocery store HR departments spend about 12 hours weekly on compliance and documentation

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45% of employees in the grocery sector receive some form of performance bonus

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The average length of employment for grocery store cashiers is approximately 1.5 years

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Only 20% of grocery jobs offer paid family leave

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85% of grocery managers believe that employee safety protocols improved during the COVID-19 pandemic

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68% of grocery workers report high job satisfaction when working in inclusive environments

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Approximately 15% of grocery store employees are injured annually due to manual handling or slips and falls

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Employee absenteeism in grocery stores averages 8 days per year per employee

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The average hourly wage for grocery store employees was $14.25 in 2022

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Retail theft costs grocery stores an estimated $3 billion annually, affecting HR policies and crime prevention strategies

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The average salary for a grocery store HR manager is approximately $70,000 annually

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The implementation of automated checkouts has reduced staff need by 15%

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The grocery industry has seen a 5% year-over-year increase in HR technology adoption

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The adoption of mobile HR apps in grocery stores increased by 40% in 2023

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72% of grocery managers believe automation will play a key role in reducing labor costs

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92% of grocery stores have implemented some form of digital employee scheduling tools

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The grocery industry employs over 3 million workers in the United States alone

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About 60% of grocery store employees are women

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35% of grocery workers are under 30 years old

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25% of grocery industry employees work part-time

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Approximately 20% of grocery workers are bilingual or speak a second language at work

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The average age of a grocery store manager is 45 years old

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Women occupy about 65% of supervisory roles in grocery stores

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About 12% of grocery industry employees hold managerial positions

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The average age of new grocery employees hired is 28 years old

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55% of grocery workers are concerned about job security due to automation

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70% of grocery employees live within 10 miles of their workplace

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The majority of grocery workers (around 65%) are hourly paid employees

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Approximately 30% of grocery store managers are promoted internally from entry-level positions

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About 25% of grocery employees are part of unionized workforce

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Grocery industry HR departments report a 15% increase in recruitment efforts post-pandemic

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The average age of grocery store managers is increasing, with a 3-year rise over the past decade

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Grocery retail chains allocate approximately 10% of their HR budget to diversity and inclusion initiatives

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35% of grocery staff are involved in community outreach programs

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55% of grocery retail HR managers cite lack of skilled labor as a primary hiring challenge

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50% of grocery employees report participating in sustainability or eco-friendly initiatives at work

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Key Highlights

The grocery industry employs over 3 million workers in the United States alone
About 60% of grocery store employees are women
The average hourly wage for grocery store employees was $14.25 in 2022
35% of grocery workers are under 30 years old
The turnover rate in the grocery sector is approximately 65%
Grocery chains spend nearly 4% of their revenue on employee training annually
25% of grocery industry employees work part-time
The median tenure for grocery store employees is 2.2 years
Approximately 20% of grocery workers are bilingual or speak a second language at work
40% of grocery employees report experiencing high levels of job stress
Retail theft costs grocery stores an estimated $3 billion annually, affecting HR policies and crime prevention strategies
The implementation of automated checkouts has reduced staff need by 15%
75% of grocery employees surveyed prefer flexible scheduling options

With over 3 million workers nationwide, the grocery industry is at a crossroads of rapid automation, diverse workforce needs, and evolving HR strategies that shape the future of retail food services.

Employee Development, Benefits, and Retention

Grocery chains spend nearly 4% of their revenue on employee training annually
Training programs in grocery stores include onboarding, safety protocols, and product knowledge
50% of grocery retailers have implemented mental health support programs for employees
62% of grocery workers feel the need for better career development opportunities
48% of grocery stores are actively seeking to reduce employee turnover through improved HR strategies
55% of grocery employees have expressed interest in additional training for digital tools
The average onboarding process for new grocery employees lasts about 3 days
The average skill level score of grocery HR teams, assessed through competency surveys, increased by 12% over the past 2 years

Employee Development, Benefits, and Retention Interpretation

While grocery chains invest nearly 4% of revenue in employee training—covering everything from onboarding to mental health support—the growing demand for digital skills and career development highlights that, despite progress reflected in a 12% rise in HR competency scores, there's still ample room to turn supermarket staff into industry experts rather than just product passersby.

Employment Conditions and Satisfaction

The turnover rate in the grocery sector is approximately 65%
The median tenure for grocery store employees is 2.2 years
40% of grocery employees report experiencing high levels of job stress
75% of grocery employees surveyed prefer flexible scheduling options
80% of grocery store workers report feeling satisfied with their job
Less than 10% of grocery jobs offer full benefits including health insurance
Grocery store HR departments spend about 12 hours weekly on compliance and documentation
45% of employees in the grocery sector receive some form of performance bonus
The average length of employment for grocery store cashiers is approximately 1.5 years
Only 20% of grocery jobs offer paid family leave
85% of grocery managers believe that employee safety protocols improved during the COVID-19 pandemic
68% of grocery workers report high job satisfaction when working in inclusive environments
Approximately 15% of grocery store employees are injured annually due to manual handling or slips and falls
Employee absenteeism in grocery stores averages 8 days per year per employee

Employment Conditions and Satisfaction Interpretation

Despite high turnover, stress, and limited benefits, grocery workers find a surprising 80% job satisfaction, highlighting a complex landscape where flexibility and pandemic-driven safety improvements may be both a balm and a challenge for HR strategies.

Financial Aspects and Industry Economics

The average hourly wage for grocery store employees was $14.25 in 2022
Retail theft costs grocery stores an estimated $3 billion annually, affecting HR policies and crime prevention strategies
The average salary for a grocery store HR manager is approximately $70,000 annually

Financial Aspects and Industry Economics Interpretation

While grocery store employees earn a modest $14.25 an hour and HR managers pull in around $70,000 annually, the industry’s $3 billion annual loss from retail theft underscores the urgent need for strategic HR policies that balance fair wages with robust crime prevention.

Technology Adoption and Automation

The implementation of automated checkouts has reduced staff need by 15%
The grocery industry has seen a 5% year-over-year increase in HR technology adoption
The adoption of mobile HR apps in grocery stores increased by 40% in 2023
72% of grocery managers believe automation will play a key role in reducing labor costs
92% of grocery stores have implemented some form of digital employee scheduling tools

Technology Adoption and Automation Interpretation

As automation and HR tech swiftly reshape the grocery industry—cutting staff needs by 15%, boosting mobile app adoption by 40%, and convincing 72% of managers that robots will trim labor costs—a digital future where efficiency often trumps employment is undoubtedly on the checkout aisle.

Workforce Composition and Demographics

The grocery industry employs over 3 million workers in the United States alone
About 60% of grocery store employees are women
35% of grocery workers are under 30 years old
25% of grocery industry employees work part-time
Approximately 20% of grocery workers are bilingual or speak a second language at work
The average age of a grocery store manager is 45 years old
Women occupy about 65% of supervisory roles in grocery stores
About 12% of grocery industry employees hold managerial positions
The average age of new grocery employees hired is 28 years old
55% of grocery workers are concerned about job security due to automation
70% of grocery employees live within 10 miles of their workplace
The majority of grocery workers (around 65%) are hourly paid employees
Approximately 30% of grocery store managers are promoted internally from entry-level positions
About 25% of grocery employees are part of unionized workforce
Grocery industry HR departments report a 15% increase in recruitment efforts post-pandemic
The average age of grocery store managers is increasing, with a 3-year rise over the past decade
Grocery retail chains allocate approximately 10% of their HR budget to diversity and inclusion initiatives
35% of grocery staff are involved in community outreach programs
55% of grocery retail HR managers cite lack of skilled labor as a primary hiring challenge
50% of grocery employees report participating in sustainability or eco-friendly initiatives at work

Workforce Composition and Demographics Interpretation

With over 3 million Americans on the breadline—ensuring we get our bread—grocery stores are staffed largely by women and young, bilingual workers, yet they face job-security fears amid automation, highlighting a sector balancing diversity, community engagement, and the urgent need for skilled labor in its aisles.