Personnel Updates

• B & R Stores Inc. (22) has promoted Senior VP of Operations Mark Griffin to President and COO, effective Jan. 1, 2020.

• Fresh Thyme Farmers Market (88) announced Chris Sherrell, President and CEO, is no longer with the company. Gerald Melville has been selected to the role of President.

• The Kroger Co. (277) has named Paula Ginnett to succeed the retiring Jerry Clontz as President of the Mid-Atlantic division.

• Marathon Petroleum Corporation (70) announced Gary Heminger, Chairman and CEO, plans to retire in 2020.

Mergers and Acquisitions

• Marathon Petroleum Corporation is preparing to spin off its retail gas-station and convenience-store network. The independent Speedway will consist of Marathon Petroleum’s company-owned retail store operations, and Marathon Petroleum will retain its direct-dealer business.

• Stinker Stores has acquired J.H. Kaspar Oil Co. The transaction includes one truckstop, three convenience stores, two cardlocks and a bulk fuel and lubricants business in Wyoming.

Industry Insight

• EG America LLC is leaving its Cincinnati headquarters and moving it to Westborough, MA, the home of its more Cumberland Farms acquisition.

• Nicholas Markets Inc. has become the 51st family-owned business to join the Wakefern Food Corp. retailer cooperative.

• TravelCenters of America Inc. and IHOP Restaurants have entered into a franchise development agreement through which they will open up to 94 IHOP locations over the next five years inside TA and Petro branded locations across the United States.

Real Estate

• Wegmans Food Markets Inc. has opened its first-ever location in New York City. The 74,000 sq. ft. location is in Brooklyn.

Technology News

• Save-A-Lot is adding the Amazon PayCode cash payment service and Amazon Hub Locker secure pickup/return option to its stores in St. Louis. The retailer plans to expand the availability of these Amazon offerings to over 400 stores by the end of 2020. Amazon PayCode allows shoppers who provide payment information to Western Union (who is partnering with Amazon to offer the service), to be sent a QR code which they can use to pay for their Amazon order in cash. Amazon then ships the order normally. Amazon Hub Locker offers a secure delivery option to pick up or return Amazon packages at no additional cost.

• Wakefern Food Corp. has partnered with Locai Solutions to offer CookIt, a customized menu planning and food shopping solution.