Personnel Updates
• Albertsons named current Exec VP and COO Wayne Denningham President and COO. Geoff White has been named to the new position of President of the company’s Own Brands organization. Albertsons also announced that it has promoted Mike Withers to Exec VP, Retail Operations for Albertsons Companies and Doug Cyan named Division President of Jewel-Osco.
• Gelson’s Markets named Paul Kneeland Senior Director of Produce and Floral. Kneeland previously worked at Ahold’s Fresh Formats division, King’s and Roche Bros.
• Kings Food Markets announced that Daniel Gallagher has been hired as Exec VP and Chief Financial Officer; Jessica Gasser has been promoted to Exec VP of Strategic Services; Joseph Parisi has been promoted to Senior VP Operations; Arthur Goncalves has been promoted to VP of Center Store; Donna Mastellone has been promoted to VP Produce and Floral; Allen Merken has been promoted to Senior Director, Engineering, Maintenance and Construction; Thomas McNerney has been promoted to Senior Director, Operations; Kathe Benjamin has been promoted to Director of Human Resources and Labor Relations; Paul Hamilton has been promoted to Produce Buyer; and Michele Edwards has been promoted to Floral Buyer.
• Kroger announced that Angel Colón, current Director of multicultural development for merchandising, has been promoted to Senior Director of Diversity; Kroger also named Kristal Howard Head of Corporate Communications and Colleen Lindholz President of Pharmacy and The Little Clinic. Todd Foley has been named Chief Accounting Officer, succeeding the retiring Mary Elizabeth Van Oflen.
• Publix named John Provenzano VP Government Relations.
• Redner’s Markets named Ryan Redner President and CEO succeeding his father Richard Redner as the head of the chain.
• Save-A-Lot named Kevin Procter Chief Investment Officer.
• Schnuck Markets named Dave Peacock President and COO.
• SpartanNash named Brian Holt VP of Marketing and hired Tom Lee as Senior VP Supply Chain.
• Stater Bros. Markets promoted John Ciraulo to Senior VP Fresh Foods.
Industry Insight
• Schnucks partnered with Instacart to expand its online grocery delivery service to the Rockford, IL, and Evansville, IN areas.
Real Estate
• Aldi will remodel seven stores in Columbia, SC as part of the company’s nationwide plan to remodel and expand more than 1,300 stores by 2020. Renovations include increased produce, dairy and bakery sections, open ceilings and more natural lighting.
• Big Y Foods renovated five stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut. The $16.1 million investment includes prepared foods areas, cafe space and natural, organic and gluten-free offerings, and Table & Vine center-store areas for wine, beer and liquor.
• Food Lion will remodel 71 stores throughout the Richmond, VA, market in 2017 with an expected completion date between June and October.
• Loblaw will open 30 stores and remodel more than 500 others, according to a $1.3 billion plan announced by the company. Other plans include expanding its click-and-collect program and enhancing its health and wellness offerings.
• Weis Markets will open a new store in Brunswick, MD, remodel 14 existing stores and expand its supply chain and information technology tools as part of a $90 million investment according to Chairman and CEO Jonathan Weis.
Financial Focus
• Albertsons LLC reported fiscal pro-forma sales of $59.1 billion.
Mergers and Acquisitions
• Central Grocers will sell 22 Strack & Van Til stores to an undisclosed buyer, according to the company as well as close nine underperforming Ultra Foods stores. This comes after last month’s announcement it would close five Strack & Van Til stores.
