Mexico's second-largest supermarket chain Soriana has announced that it has started a cost-cutting plan that aims to save around MXP2bn (US$152m) as it battles through the current economic crisis.

As part of the strategy, Soriana will lower energy and maintenance expenses, improve store logistics and rework distribution routes, Reuters reported.

In addition the group admitted that it had cut an unconfirmed number of jobs as part of the plan, which came into force during March.

The group, which is second only behind Wal-Mart de Mexico in terms of market share in the country, is set to post its first-quarter results next week.