CHICAGO (Reuters) - Walgreen Co said it plans to cut about 1,000 nonstore jobs as it works on reducing costs and improving its drugstore operations.
The company said it is offering early retirement and severance programs to employees in corporate and field management jobs. About 1,000 positions, or about 9 percent of the jobs in those areas, will be cut through voluntary and involuntary programs during fiscal 2009.
The cuts are part of the company's "Rewiring for Growth" program, announced during the fall. Under the program, Walgreen aims to save $1 billion per year by fiscal 2011.
Walgreen said that after offering voluntary packages, an involuntary separation program would start in February.
(Reporting by Jessica Wohl)
