Peter Van Helden will become president and COO of Stater Bros. Markets when Jim Lee retires as of June 1. Van Helden is a 36-year veteran of the supermarket industry. Prior to joining Stater Bros., he was EVP of retail operations for Supervalu. Van Helden began his career in 1977, working for Rosauers in Libby, […]
Tag: management
Posted in, Executive News, West
Stater Bros. President Announces Retirement
Jim Lee, president and COO of Stater Bros. Markets, plans to retire May 31. He made the announcement Thursday in Pomona, Calif., after being inducted into the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) Hall of Achievement. Lee joined San Bernardino-based Stater Bros. Markets as group SVP of retail operations in 2002, bringing to the company […]
Posted in, National, Northeast
Ahold USA’s SVP Williams To Receive ‘Women Of Influence’ Award
Ahold USA today said that Laura Williams, SVP and deputy general counsel, has been named an award recipient in the 2013 Women of Influence Awards by Central Penn Business Journal. Williams was selected as one of the top nominees by judges for her leadership and achievements within Ahold USA, as well as for her contributions […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
South Dakota Grocer Bob Buche Sr. Passes Away At 92
Robert “Bob” Francis Buche died March 22 at his home. He was 92 years old. He was born in Lake Andes, S.D. He attended Creighton University and the University of South Dakota. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he was a pilot during World War II. He was the son of Gus Francis […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Executive News, National
Industry Veteran Joins Go Think! Management Team
Go Think!, a retail marketing, customer loyalty and digital technology firm, has added Dan Sanders to its management team. Sanders will serve as managing director for business development, focusing on both business development and marketing consulting. A seasoned executive in the supermarket industry, Sanders most recently served as a Supervalu division president. During his tenure […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Save-A-Lot Store In Lebanon, Ohio, Has New Owners
The Save-A-Lot store in Lebanon, Ohio, is under new ownership by Bill and Paul Price. The brothers also own Save-A-Lot stores in Middletown and Franklin. Additionally, Bill owns the Save-A-Lot in Fairborn and an IGA in Brookville. The brothers plan to retain all the former employees of the Lebanon store. “We are excited to take […]
Posted in, National
Safeway Board Says CEO Burd Is Underpaid At $11.4M
Retiring Safeway CEO Steven Burd is not paid as well as his peers in the retail industry, even though he took home $11.4 million in 2012 and $11.5 million in 2011, according to the Pleasanton, Calif.-based company’s executive compensation committee. The San Francisco Business Times reports that Safeway’s audit committee—the members of the board of […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Kroger Ratifies Agreement With UFCW Local 75
The Kroger Co. associates working at Kroger stores in Toledo, Ohio, have ratified a new labor agreement with United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 75. “We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates. It provides a solid compensation package of wages and benefits, including affordable healthcare,” said Bruce Macaulay, […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Retailer Need Drives NGA’s Leaps In Technology
More than 2,700 retailers, wholesalers and suppliers recently joined us for the 2013 NGA Show in Las Vegas. As I said in my February column, our goal was to offer new and innovative resources to the industry, particularly in the area of technology. The show opened with a conversation I had with Joe Sheridan, president […]
Posted in, Executive News, Northeast
Ahold USA Appoints Scorza As Chief Information Officer
Ahold USA has named Paul Scorza as its chief information officer, effective today. In this role, which will be based in Quincy, Mass., Scorza will oversee all Ahold USA information management functions, with a focus on the development and implementation of systems and business processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, controls and operations across the company. […]
Posted in, National
Forecast: Top 10 Industry Trends
Trends compiled from an annual consumer panel conducted by Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert have been released. The top 10 industry trends were presented by National Grocers Association (NGA) President and CEO Peter Larkin, filling in for Lempert, during the 48th Annual Food Marketing Conference earlier this week in Kalamazoo, Mich. “I think (if Phil were […]
Posted in, National, West
CGA Hires New Government Relations Manager
The California Grocers Association (CGA) has hired Dane Hutchings as its government relations manager, effective immediately. In this position, Hutchings will be responsible for bill tracking and analysis, regulatory analysis, member relations and grassroots development. In addition, he will work with CGA members to develop positions and draft advocacy messages and represent the organization before […]
Posted in, National
NGA, CART Research Showcases ‘Active Listening’ As Best Practice
For grocery retailers, customer service reputation is strengthened by maintaining an everyday practice for listening and responding to shoppers’ concerns, feedback and praise. Showcasing best practices for “active listening,” the National Grocers Association (NGA) and the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) released the first work product from their newly-launched Innovation Center at the […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Supervalu Cutting 1,100 Jobs Companywide
Supervalu said today that it plans to reduce its national workforce by an estimated 1,100 positions. The final working dates for impacted employees vary, based on the needs of the business and the areas they support. The reductions include both current positions and open jobs that will not be filled. “The decision to reduce our […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Supervalu Makes Additional Exec Appointments, Revamps Website After Deal
Supervalu today announced appointments to its executive team, including Janel Haugarth who will remain with the company as EVP and president of independent business and supply chain services. The announcement comes as Sam Duncan, Supervalu president and CEO, continues finalizing his leadership team following the sale of five retail banners to AB Acquisition LLC, a […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s To Be Inducted Into National Women Business Owners Corp.’s HOF
Frieda’s Specialty Produce has been named an inductee of the National Women Business Owners Corp.’s (NWBOC) “Decades of Excellence” Hall of Fame at the national NWBOC conference in Florida this May. Frieda’s will be honored, among other companies, for being a Woman Business Enterprise (WBE) certified with NWBOC for 10 years or more. NWBOC was […]
Posted in, National
Little Debbie Maker Wins Bid For Hostess’ Drake’s Brand
Hostess Brands Inc. said today that the stalking horse bid submitted by McKee Foods Corp. (maker of Little Debbie snack cakes) for the Drake’s snack cake brand will be the bid presented for approval to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, as no other qualified bids were received for those assets. McKee has agreed to pay $27.5 […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Executive News, National
Borders To Lead Coca-Cola Foundation Following Jones’ Retirement
The Coca-Cola Co. has announced that Ingrid Saunders Jones, SVP of global community connections and chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation, will retire after 30 years of service, effective June 1. Jones joined Coca-Cola in 1982 and has held roles of increasing responsibility around the company’s corporate giving and community outreach. She has served as chair […]
Posted in, National
Hostess Selects Winning Bid For Twinkies, Ho Hos, Ding Dongs, Others
Hostess Brands Inc. has announced that the stalking horse bid submitted by affiliates of Apollo Global Management LLC and Metropoulos & Co. for the majority of the company’s snack cake business, which includes both Hostess and Dolly Madison branded products, will be the bid presented for approval to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court as no other […]
Posted in, National, West
Grantham Joins Mann Packing Co.
Craig Grantham recently joined Mann Packing Co. as the new director of trade marketing. Grantham joins Mann with 16 years of sales experience. In addition, he has seven years experience in business development, process improvement and developing promotional programs. Grantham started his career at the Gillette Co. where he held numerous sales, trade marketing and […]