Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market, has named Gilliam Phipps as SVP, chief marketing officer, effective April 14. Phipps reports directly to Sprouts CEO Jack Sinclair and oversees Sprouts’ marketing, advertising, customer engagement and private label teams.
“We’re extremely pleased to welcome Gil to the Sprouts team,” said Sinclair. “The experience Gil brings will be instrumental in shaping Sprouts’ long-term strategy to build brand awareness and loyalty with our core shopper, including strengthening and defining our private label business.”
Phipps brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing strategy, branding and product/private label development to Sprouts. He most recently served as VP of branding, marketing and “Our Brands” at The Kroger Co., where he joined as VP of “Our Brands” in 2012. Prior to joining Kroger, Phipps spent more than 11 years at H-E-B where he held various positions, including most recently as a director of “Own Brand” where he oversaw branding, innovation, product development, packaging and design. Before that, he led new product development and category management for national CPG brand Hormel Foods. He earned a bachelor’s degree in English and philosophy from The University of Texas at Austin.
“I am extremely humbled to join Sprouts, a brand that I’ve long admired for innovation and purpose,” said Phipps. “Providing communities access to healthy, affordable foods is more important today than ever before, and I look forward to helping the brand connect even further with customers nationwide in meaningful ways with the products they need and desire.”
Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. is known for pioneering its unique grocery model by offering a store layout featuring fresh produce at the center of the store, an expansive bulk foods section and a vitamin department focused on overall wellness. Sprouts also offers a unique assortment of healthier products with special attributes, such as plant-based, gluten-free, keto-friendly and grass-fed. Sprouts employs more than 30,000 team members and operates approximately 340 stores in 23 states from coast to coast.
