Personnel Updates:
Core-Mark Holding Co. Inc., a major marketer of fresh and broad-line supply solutions to the convenience retail industry, has announced a leadership transition that is the culmination of a multi-year succession plan under which current President and CEO. Michael Walsh will retire on Jan. 18, 2013, and be succeeded by Thomas B. Perkins, Core-Mark’s current Senior VP of Resources.
Advantage Sales and Marketing named Tanya Domier CEO succeeding company founder and Chairman Sonny King, who will become executive Chairman.
Open Pantry Food Marts of Wisconsin Inc. named Justin Borchardt VP and Controller. He previously held several positions including internal auditor and financial analyst. Most recently, Borchardt served as accounting manager.
New Seasons Market’s CEO Lisa Sedlar is leaving the company on November 2ndto create a chain of healthy convenience stores. The executive envisions a chain of small neighborhood stores stocked with healthy options, such as locally cured salami, and plans on a well-stocked meat counter and healthy meals to go, as well as local produce and good coffee.
The Pantry Inc. announced that Joe Venezia is joining the executive leadership team as Senior VP of Operations.
Reasor’s LLC said Dave Brumley has been named Exec VP and Chief Human Resources Officer. Steve Lehto has been named Exec VP and COO; and Steve Martin has been named Exec VP and CFO. In addition, Reasor’s said it has hired Ward Dunn as its new VP of Sales and Marketing. Finally, Reasor’s said industry veteran Ned Dunn — no relation to Ward Dunn — has been named the company’s first outside director. Ned Dunn spent more than 20 years at Harris Teeter in executive positions including executive vice president of operations and president.
SUPERVALU INC. announced the appointment of Kathy Persian as Senior VP and CIO. Persian was named to the CIO post following the decision by Wayne Shurts to accept a position with SYSCO Corporation.
Financial Focus:
Village Supermarkets Inc. reported fiscal 2012 sales of $1.422 billion.
Industry Insight:
A&P will close its Pathmark store in downtown Manhattan at the end of December 2012 to allow for a large-scale residential project to be built at the site. The retailer said it may elect to reopen a store there after the building is complete.
Albertsons plans to lease a former Scolari’s location in Central California — the first time it will acquire a lease from another company in more than 10 years.
Harris Teeter Supermarkets will convert two of its stores to a new specialty banner to be known as 201central.
Lazy Acres, a natural/organic food store owned by Bristol Farms, will open its second store early next November 2012.
Safeway announced its intention to combine its Portland and Seattle divisions into a single, newly named Pacific Northwest division. Steve Frisby, who has been serving as President of both divisions, will continue as president of the new combined entity. Both the Portland and Seattle offices will remain open to support our regional operations.
Real Estate:
7-Eleven plans to open 30 new outlets in New York City over the next five years, making it among the city’s fastest-growing chains. A staple of suburbia, 7-Eleven now has about 100 stores across the five boroughs, according to a list compiled by the company, with at least a dozen more expected to open by year’s end.
K-VA-T Food Stores, Inc. is seeking new sites for possible new locations throughout its existing markets during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run 20 years. A land area of 5.5 acres is required for freestanding locations.
Walmart Stores U.S. president Bill Simon said the retailer would accelerate small-store growth to compete with dollar stores and drug stores, and announced plans to have 500 Neighborhood Market stores and 12 Express stores by fiscal 2016.
Green Initiatives:
A Big Y Foods store in Franklin, MA was recognized by the state with Energy Recognition and Supermarket Recycling Program certificates. The retailer has a chainwide effort to limit disposal of organic material, cardboard and shrink wrap. Energy-saving features include a rooftop solar array and efficient lighting.
Whole Foods Market has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.
Wakefern Food Corp., owned by ShopRite store operators, and NJR Clean Energy Ventures announced that they began work on the installation of a rooftop solar system at a Wakefern distribution center.