Webvan to Trim Overlapping HomeGrocer Jobs

Webvan Group Inc., which sells groceries over the Internet, said it fired about 50 HomeGrocer.com Inc. employees to eliminate some overlapping jobs after Webvan’s acquisition of its rival. Webvan told HomeGrocer.com employees based in Kirkland, Wash., two weeks ago that some jobs in finance, marketing and administration would be terminated, a company spokesman said. Foster City, Calif.-based Webvan previously said that the combined company would seek to expand into 13 U.S. metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles and Seattle. Webvan will create 500 to 700 new jobs in the Seattle area as part of the plan, the spokesman said. Shares in Webvan fell 22 cents to close at $3.81 on Nasdaq.