Personnel Updates
The Brookshire Grocery Co. said that Chairman Bradley W. Brookshire will now add CEO to his title, succeeding the retiring Rick Rayford in the CEO role.
CST Brands Inc. has created the position of President, retail operations, naming Hal Adams to the post. In addition, Stephane Trudel, CST’s senior vice president, mergers and acquisitions, will fill the newly created position of Senior VP growth and strategy. Steve Motz, executive vice president and chief strategy officer is retiring in the first quarter.
Kroger announced that Fred Meyer Stores President Lynn Gust will retire 1-31-216, succeeded by current Kroger Central Division President Jeff Burt.
Hy-Vee promoted Jay Marshall to COO while retaining his Exec VP title. Mike Agostino has been named VP Pharmacy Innovation/business development.
The Fresh Market hired Pamela Kohn to be its new Exec Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer.
The National Grocers Association announced that Matthew R. Ott, has been named COO, Greg Ferrara has been named Senior VP of Government Relations and Public Affairs, Maggie Lyons has been promoted to Senior Director of Government Relations, and Laura Strange has been promoted to Senior Director of Communications and Marketing.
Raley’s named Deirdre Zimmermann to be its new Senior VP Marketing.
Publix announced that Ed Crenshaw, CEO, will retire on April 30th, 2016. Current President Todd Jones will become CEO, President at that time.
Weis Markets announced that John Grimes has been promoted to VP of Meat and Seafood and that Dale Lubold has been promoted to Director of Seafood.
Walmart named Tony Rogers Chief Marketing Officer for its US business, succeeding Stephen Quinn, who recently announced his retirement.
Industry Insight
Harris Teeter announced plans to build a distribution center in Caroline County, VA in 2017. The 1.5 million square feet facility will employ an estimated 400 people after completion.
Hy-Vee announced that all of it stores will offer the Aisles Online grocery e-commerce service. The company ran tests of the service earlier this year in the Des Moines, Iowa, market. The service is typical to other ship-to-store services, where customers shop for groceries online and consequently pick them up at a store of their choosing.
Real Estate
Albertsons announced plans to convert its three Florida location into the Safeway banner.
Marsh Supermarkets announced plans for up to 13 new stores by the end of 2018, while updating as many as 52 stores in its existing fleet.
Harris Teeter’s newest example of its ‘large format’ store debuted in January. The company’s new Pinehurst, NC location is its largest ever, checking in at 78,200 square feet.
Mergers & Acquisitions
US Foods acquired foodservice distributor Dierks Waukesha in Waukesha, WI. Dierks generated an estimated $120 million in annual sales last year.
Western Refining Inc. announced plans to acquire Northern Tier Energy LP under a definitive merger agreement.
