The Kroger Co. has announced it will end remote-work arrangements for its approximately 4,800 local office employees, requiring them to be in the office five days a week beginning January 2025.
According to Kroger’s executive vice-president of human resources, the company is aiming to “simplify our ways of working and strengthen our support for our store teams”. The return-to-office decision is grounded in the belief that in-person collaboration enables faster problem-solving, tighter alignment on priorities and better overall support for the retailer’s stores, manufacturing plants and distribution centers.
What this means for employees & the local economy
For office employees of Kroger in greater Cincinnati, the move signals a complete shift back to in-office work after prior hybrid or remote-friendly policies were in place. Earlier in 2023, Kroger required three to four days in the office; now the mandate is full-time in-office.
Interim CEO Ron Sargent outlined the rationale in an internal memo: “We are resetting our cost base to deliver for our customers and associates by lowering prices, opening new stores, and creating more jobs at the store level.”
On a broader level, the move has been applauded by local economic development officials. One spokesman for the Cincinnati Center City Development Corp. described the return of office workers as “a shot in the arm for small businesses”, citing increased foot traffic, more lunch and dinner patronage and improved downtown vibrancy.
Kroger’s remote work model is a significant part of US workforce
Even as Kroger pivots back to office-based work, remote and hybrid models remain significant in the U.S. workforce. The United States Department of Labor estimated that as of September 2025, 35.4 million people still work from home either fully or part-time. Meanwhile, executive search firm Robert Half reported that 88% of employers still offer hybrid work options, and 12% of new job postings were fully remote in Q3.
Kroger’s decision stands out because it signals a strategic re-emphasis on full in-office presence rather than a continuation of hybrid flexibility.
- Returning to full-time office work may signal a prioritization of culture, collaboration and alignment over flexibility.
- The effect on downtown economies can be substantial; bringing employees back in raises ancillary business activity around offices.
- Employers must weigh the benefits (faster collaboration, stronger team cohesion) against the potential downsides (employee sentiment, talent attraction/retention, commute burdens).
- Clear communication and rationale are vital: Kroger explicitly framed its move as supporting store operations and simplifying working practices.
Kroger’s move to end remote-work arrangements marks an important moment in the debate over the future of work. While remote and hybrid models continue to thrive, this decision sends a signal: for certain organizations, the physical presence of employees may once again become central to operational strategy. For office workers, the shift will mean adjusting to full-time in-office work. For downtown economies, the ripple effects may bring welcome revitalization.
