St. Louis-based independently-owned and -operated discount grocery store chain Save A Lot announced that Fred Boehler, who had been serving as its interim CEO since Oct. 31, will move into the role on a permanent basis.
A seasoned supply chain executive with more than 30 years of experience across multiple retail and wholesale format businesses, Boehler succeeds Leon Bergmann, who left the company earlier this fall.
Boehler’s career spans large- and small-scale companies in a wide range of growth phases. He has worked in supply chain at SuperValu, Borders, Newell Rubbermaid and Americold Logistics. With that company, he served as CEO, taking the company public in January 2018. Boehler joined the Save A Lot Board of Directors in July 2021.
“Fred’s deep expertise in the industry and his understanding of wholesale and logistics is particularly powerful for the Save A Lot brand following its shift to focus to operate as a licensed wholesaler,” said Mike Motz, chairman of the board.
“He is known for developing innovative, customer-centric supply chain solutions and has demonstrated consistent leadership in delivering against a long-term vision and strategy. With his additional experience on the Save A Lot board of directors, Fred is well suited to lead the business as it is positioned today and to partner with its strong network of retail partners across the country.”
Boehler said he was looking forward to joining “this talented team of executives and independent retailers who are deeply committed to serving customers with outstanding value and quality groceries.”
“I believe the Save A Lot business model can uniquely deliver against the many challenges of today’s grocery industry,” he said. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to deliver growth in this important service and to re-establish the Save A Lot brand as the leading hometown grocer.”
Founded in 1977, Save A Lot operates about 800 stores in 32 states. The company said a search is under way to fill Boehler’s vacated seat on the board of directors.
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