Personnel Updates
• The Kroger Co. named Yael Cosset as its next Chief Digital Officer. He succeeds Kevin Dougherty, who is retiring January 2017.
• Harps Food Stores named current COO Kim Eskew as the company’s new CEO, succeeding the retiring Roger Collins. Collins will remain with the company as Chairman.
• Mapco has named its leadership team of the new company moving forward: Andy Scoggins – CEO; Dave DeSerio – COO; Michael Martin – VP of Human Resources; Kevin Brunger – VP of Information and Technology; Jud Roper – VP of Accounting and Finance.
• Mrs. Green’s Natural Market CEO Pat Brown will step down from his position.
• Rouses Markets announced the hiring of Steve Black as President and COO and the promotion of Donny Rouse to CEO.
• Save Mart Cos. named Nicole Pesco the company’s new CEO.
• Wakefern Food Corp. announced that Chris Lane has been promoted to Exec VP overseeing day-to-day operations and strategy planning.
Industry Insight
• Mrs. Green’s Neighborhood Market will close five stores and shift focus to its core locations moving forward. The closures are a New York City location, stores in Rye and Tarrytown, NY as well as two Connecticut supermarkets.
• Randalls Food Markets, an Albertsons’-owned operating division, has begun home grocery delivery in the Austin and Houston markets using its own fleet of 25 temperature-controlled vehicles. The service offers same-day delivery, while orders can be placed online or with Randalls mobile app.
• Southeastern Grocers has introduced a new store concept at 73 Harveys Supermarket locations in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida. According to the company, the new concept features lower prices on more than 3,000 items in the stores including 600 “everyday items” available for $1, a broader meat selection, a more expansive produce department and more ethnic offerings.
Finance
• Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage reported fiscal 2016 sales of $705.5 million.
Real Estate
• Lucky’s Market will open at least eight new locations in 2017 according to CEO Bo Sharon. The company doubled in size in 2016.
• Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage will reduce new store growth next year after opening 23 new locations, remodeling one store and relocating four stores in 2016, Co-President Kemper Isely said during discussion of the company’s most recent fiscal year end results.
• Southeastern Grocer’s-owned Winn Dixie converted five South Florida supermarkets to its new Hispanic-focused Fresco Y Mas store format.
Mergers & Acquisitions
• KKR, a New York City-based investment firm, acquired Cardenas Markets, a 33-store Hispanic-based supermarket chain based in California for an undisclosed amount. KKR will also purchase the Southern California-based Mi Pueblo Hispanic grocery chain.
• Tesoro Corp. announced it will purchase Western Refining Inc. for approximately $6.4 billion. The combined companies will operate over 3,000 gas stations operating under 12 retail and convenience store brands.
