Helzberg Diamonds has cut 21 positions at its North Kansas City headquarters, a 9 percent reduction, The Kansas City Star reports.

The company had about 225 positions at 1825 Swift St. headquarters, the newspaper reports. It eliminated seven unfilled positions and is offering severance packages and outplacement assistance to 14 employees, which included managerial and salaried professionals, and hourly associates.

Marvin Beasley, chairman and chief executive officer of Helzberg, reportedly said that the staff cuts are the result of soft economic conditions. He told the newspaper that there no plans at this time to reduce staff among its more than 2,500 employees at more than 260 retail outlets.

JCK