A quick Q&A with John Ruane, Chief Merchandising Officer and SVP-Omnichannel Merchandising for The Giant Company, the subsidiary supermarket chain of Ahold Delhaize that operates stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia under the Giant and Martin’s, and Giant Heirloom Market banners.

Study Finds Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, Passaic Counties Hardest Hit

A quick Q&A with Jim McCaffrey III, CEO of McCaffrey’s Food Markets, which operates seven high-volume specialty stores in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Jim shares his views about topics relevant to his business and the grocery industry as a whole.

Food World doesn’t usually re-print obituaries from other sources, but we decided to make an exception for this one memorializing one of the larger-than-life characters from the food industry in recent years, Pat McCarthy, retired from Ocean Spray and namesake of the Academy of Food Marketing at Saint Joseph’s University’s…

BJ’s Wholesale Club is the latest merchant to take more direct control of its distribution. The Westborough, MA-based club operator announced that it would acquire the assets and operations of four perishable distribution centers and the related transportation fleet from Burris Logistics, its temperature-controlled distribution partner for more than 20…

Costco has promoted Ron Vachris to president and chief operating officer, effective February 2. The new position was confirmed in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The title of president had previously been held by Craig Jelinek, who will remain as CEO and a member of the…

As we do each year, Food World and Food Trade News reached out to several retailers in our marketing area, asking them to look ahead at some of the issues facing the industry in the coming year.

Save A Lot announced that its Board of Directors has named Leon Bergmann as the new incoming chief executive officer of the discount supermarket chain. Bergmann will succeed interim CEO Craig Herkert, who took on the role in October of 2021 after his predecessor Kenneth McGrath left the company to…

In a deal between sales agencies, Buffalo, NY-based Affinity Group announced that it has acquired Star Sales & Marketing, the regional firm that has covered the Mid-Atlantic grocery market for more than 20 years.

Member Brown’s Super Stores Makes Key Management Moves

Former Tops Leader Coming Back To Head Newly Merged Retailer

Two of the region’s leading wholesalers have recently promote veteran executives to new positions in their organizations. C&S Wholesale Grocers, based in Keene, NH, has promoted Eric Winn to chief operating officer, a newly created position, and United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), based in Providence, RI, upped Mark Bushway to…

Retirements Impact Merchandising, E-Commerce

Mark Polsky, former grocery executive and part-owner of former independent supermarket retailer Magruder’s, passed away on December 20, 2021, at the age of 74. Born in Silver Spring, MD, Polsky attended Northwood High School and then the University of Maryland, where he graduated with the college’s first computer science/information technology…

The growing Ahold Delhaize USA brand hires Shah from Wakefern as company veterans Burkett and Lupfer take on new roles at the regional chain.

More changes at Wakefern as retailing veteran Kevin McDonnell is promoted to run Price Rite and former Price Rite president Jim Dorey moves to member Inserra Supermarkets as senior VP where he will eventually become president and COO.

Sheetz announced December 6 that Travis Sheetz is advancing  into the role of president  and CEO. Travis Sheetz, the nephew of Sheetz founder Bob Sheetz, was previously the convenience chain’s president and COO, the first COO in the 69-year history of the company. Previous CEO Joe Sheetz will become move…

Supply Chain Issues Continue To Plague Region’s Distributors

Wakefern’s largest member acquires seven stores from one of the co-op’s oldest members.

C&S Wholesale To Acquire 12 Divested Stores

At Investors Day, Execs Detail ‘Leading Together’ Strategy

Veteran Retail Exec To Assume Helm Of Kroger Unit Feb. 1

37-Year Veteran Receives Award For leadership and community involvement. Additionally, the Maryland Retailer’s Association inducts five new members into its Hall of Fame.

EVP Chris Lane believes wholesale co-op’s long-term strategic plan will enhance future growth, particularly in e-commerce.

New CFCs Also To Be Built In FL, SoCal

The Sunbury, PA-based retailer also announced an expanded supply chain arrangement with C&S Wholesale Grocers as it plans its own distribution capabilities enhancements.

Prior to joining Citarella, Durante served as chief merchandising officer at North Carolina-based chain, The Fresh Market, and has held executive positions at AG Supermarket Holdings, Balducci’s Market, and Balducci’s On The Go Cafe.

Advantage Group International recently announced the appointment of Denise Mullen to the role of senior director, U.S. client services. Mullen joins the global organization, headquartered in Canada, to service a portfolio of leading American CPG supplier and grocery retail. Mullen most recently oversaw one of the beauty care teams in category management…

The Mid Atlantic Food Trade Organization (MAFTO) recently awarded its 2020 scholarships to recipients selected by the organization’s scholarships committee based on academic success, overall excellence of character, and potential for community contributions and leadership. Since 2005, MAFTO has awarded 138 scholarships totaling $434,000. Each of this year’s chosen students…

New Base To House In-Person Meetings, Company Gatherings

The son of retail pioneers Ralph and Shirley Klein, and the executive who oversaw the company’s legal and administrative duties, has passed away after a long illness.

Retailer Also Inks New Labor Deal For R-N Stores

Thrifty Food Plan Gets Much Needed Revision

Company veteran to serve as managing director for retailer’s New York City-based online fresh food business. Interim CEO Farhan Siddiqi will return to full-time role as Ahold Delhaize’s chief digital officer.

Mobarak, Parisi, L. Scaduto, Shakoor, Derderian Also Named

Beleaguered discount retailer has hired failed ex-Supervalu CEO Craig Herkert as chief executive of the company. Meanwhile, former CEO Kenneth McGrath remains at SAL as he prepares to become deputy chairman of rival Lidl on October 1.

Stahl Named Chairman Of the Board

Industry Vet Replaces Ginnett Who Was Promoted To Group VP

In addition to Jeff Metzger's monthly column, "Taking Stock," he will periodically offer his unfettered take on breaking news stories in the industry. In this opinion piece, he offers his perspective on the uber-merchant’s unique opportunities with its newly announced second New York City store.