Personnel Updates:

The Cumberland Gulf Group selected Ari N. Haseotes to serve as CEO of the locally based company. He succeeds Lily Bentas, who has been acting CEO and will continue in her role as Chairman of the board.

Demoulas Super Markets appointed Felicia Thornton and James “Jim” Gooch, as Market Basket’s COO and Chief Administrative Officer, respectively. They will serve as co-CEOs, and succeed longtime president Arthur T. Demoulas, who was not re-elected to his role and will not retain any management responsibilities for the family-run company. Arthur T. Demoulas remains a shareholder of the company.

Husky Energy Inc. advises that effective July 18, 2014, Alister Cowan, Chief Financial Officer, will be leaving the company to pursue other interests.

Kings Food Markets announced that Jeff Binder has joined as its new VP of Center Store. In his new role, Binder, who will report directly to COO Rich Durante, will be responsible for overseeing the grocery, dairy and frozen food departments, as well as non-food and beauty.

Kroger announced that Bill Mullen has been named VP of Merchandising for Kroger’s Convenience Store Division, effective August 1. He succeeds the retiring Ken Nuss.

Loblaw Cos. announced that Galen Weston, executive chairman, also has been appointed as President, effective immediately. Thomas O’Neill, lead independent director, confirmed the appointment as part of a series of management changes at the company. Vicente Trius, President since August 2011, has left the business. The company also announced that Domenic Pilla, President of Shoppers Drug Mart, is leaving by the end of 2014.

The Parker Cos. named David Springer as its new Director of Foodservice. In this role, Springer will oversee the company’s multimillion-dollar business of self-serve food offerings in all Parker’s convenience stores.

PCC Natural Markets Tracy Wolpert, CEO cooperative since 2001, has left the company “to pursue other interests,” according to a company press release. He will be succeeded on an interim basis by CFO and 43-year company veteran Randy Lee, which a search for a replacement is conducted.

Schnucks named Robert Hardester CIO, reporting to COO Anthony Hucker.

Schnucks said it has appointed Debra Ogston as its new Chief People Officer, reporting to COO Anthony Hucker.

Schnucks has hired Niké VanArsdale as Category Manager for natural, organic, gluten-free and bulk foods.

Tedeschi Food Shops Inc. named Greg Donoghue its new COO. He succeeds Robert Tedeschi Jr., who retired in late June after nearly 39 years of service.

Thorntons Inc. has announced that COO Tony Harris will take over President of the convenience store chain in October. Matt Thornton, who holds the current chief executive officer and President role, will continue as the CEO.

Unified Grocers said that Vic Versino has joined the company as VP Logistics.

Unified Grocers is promoting Terry Bodwin to be VP and Chief Human Resources Officer.

Industry Insight:

A&P’s Waldbaums division will discontinue its loyalty card program in favor of lower prices on private-label and everyday items. As part of Waldbaums’ new strategy, the 48-store chain will mark lower prices with “We’ve priced it right” labels and offer monthly coupon books.

Lucky’s Market will move its headquarters to a 13,700-sq. ft. space in Niwot, CO, by August 2014.

Publix is test-marketing a website that allows shoppers to register for special offers in lieu of a card-based loyalty program.

Roundy’s Inc. will close its Stevens Point, WI, distribution center by Sept. 30. Operations will be consolidated at its Oconomowoc, WI, and Mazomanie, WI, distribution centers.

Mergers and Acquisitions:

Kroger Co. will buy online retailer Vitacost.com for about $280 million in a bid to expand its online presence. Vitacost.com sells vitamins, supplements, beauty care products and organic foods to about 2.3 million active customers, according to Kroger.

United Oil completed its sale to the affiliates and managed accounts of global investment management firm Fortress Investment Group LL. The companies did not disclose terms of the transaction.

Real Estate:

Mi Pueblo has opened Alabama’s largest Hispanic supermarket, a 44,000 square foot store in Homewood at the site of a former Food World.

Technology News:

McDonald’s is testing an app for mobile ordering. The service is being tested in 22 locations in Georgia and Alabama.

Green Initiatives:

Kroger’s organic recycling programs are in 988 stores, and the company has achieved zero-waste goals at 27 of its 38 manufacturing facilities, according to a sustainability report released Tuesday. Kroger says it has also reduced energy use by nearly 35% since 2000 and has 557 stores that are Energy Star certified, with an additional 517 eligible for certification.

Safeway has eliminated more than 300 million plastic and paper bags, part of the retailer’s goal to eliminate bags at all of its stores by 2015 and an item in its annual sustainability report that the company released. Safeway is also halfway to its sustainable seafood goal and has achieved zero waste at nine of its 13 distribution centers and nine of its 20 plants. The retailer is also working on water efficiency, renewable energy and conservation projects, the report said