Lowe's shakes up in-store staffing

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's is making a big shift in its in-store work force, favoring part-timers over middle managers.

The move will cut about 1,700 middle management jobs in the stores, but will lead to an additional 8,000 to 10,000 part-time workers, according to Chris Ahearn, Lowe's VP public relations. The shakeup is expected to take effect Jan. 29.

In an e-mail to Home Channel News, Ahearn explained: "We converted the existing structure, which had an operations manager, zone manager, administrative manager [and] sales manager, to a structure with a store manager and assistant managers, all of whom have responsibility for sales and service in the store."

The move is described by the company as a broad change in staffing to better serve customers over the busy shopping periods, such as the weekends.