The PA FFFI offers one-time grants or loans to food retailers to increase the availability of healthy and affordable food options for residents in under-resourced communities. 

Wakefern Food Corp. recently appointed Neil Falcone as chief financial officer and Karen Meleta as chief communications officer. Falcone, formerly VP of ShopRite Financial Services (SFS) and corporate finance, replaces Doug Wille, who retired recently after 43 years with the company. Meleta, Wakefern’s VP of consumer and corporate communications for…

Challenging sales and profitability are the reasons. ShopRite will continue to operate 147 pharmacies and be a provider of COVID-19 vaccines.

With a combined annual revenue of more than $6 billion, the deal would bring together two of the Empire State’s largest chains and would provide an opportunity to leverage scale and become a larger and more relevant regional chain.

Giant Food announced that Robin Moran will retire after a 40-year career with the retailer. Moran joined Giant as a part time cashier in 1980 and began her full-time career as a retail trainee in 1983, right out of Towson University.  She was one of the first (if not the…

Cipriano “Cip” Andrade has accepted the role of category director of DSD. Most recently, Andrade was the director of center store field marketing. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to his new role. He began his career with Stop and Shop in 1999 as a customer service manager…

Rosalind Brewer has been named CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance, replacing outgoing CEO Stefano Pessina. Brewer’s appointment will be effective March 15 when Pessina transitions to the role of executive chairman. Brewer will also join the WBA board of directors upon assuming her new role. Brewer brings to WBA a…

Jassy Will Take Helm; Q4 Profit Zooms

Richard Gunn, Weis Markets’ chief merchant since 2015, has abruptly left the company and will be replaced by current VP-perishables Bob Gleeson on an interim basis. Also, Michael Lockard will become Weis’ new CFO in March when Scott Frost retires.

Veteran grocery executives Joe Garcia and Zulema Wiscovitch have purchased the Port Washington, NY-based retail solutions firm from AUA Private Equity, the investment firm headed by former Goya executive Andy Unanue, which acquired ASG in 2012.

This year’s panelists include: Rod Antolock, president of Harris Teeter; Rick Rodgers, president of Green Valley Marketplace/B. Green; Dan Croce, SVP-store operations for the East division of Sprouts Farmers Market; and Nicholas Bertram, president of The Giant Company.

After a three-month review, the federal agency gives the all-clear for Malvern, PA-based Acme Markets to acquire 19 Kings and eight Balducci’s stores for $96.4 million. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of this month.

112 Units In MD, VA, DE, PA, WV Are Remodeled

Former Redner’s Markets executive Patrick J. “Pat” Ferguson, 82, of Macungie, passed away December 27, 2020 in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Twp., PA. Ferguson was the first official employee of Redner’s Markets as he was the manager of the retailer’s Red Hill location when the late Earl “The Chief”…

Parent Ahold Delhaize Finalizes FreshDirect Acquisition

NJ-Based Durling Family Agrees To All-Cash Offer

COVID-19 Brought Supply Chain Challenges, Sales Opportunities

The Dutch retailer is set to acquire an 80 percent stake in New York City-based online grocer FreshDirect, expanding its omnichannel presence. Private equity firm Centerbridge Partners will purchase the remaining 20 percent.

White Plains, NY-based wholesaler Krasdale Foods has named industry veteran Gus Lebiak as its new president and chief operating officer, effective January 1. He will replace long-time Krasdale executive Steve Silver who will retire. Charles Krasne remains Krasdale’s chairman and CEO.

The Sunbury, PA-based retailer announced stellar sales and earnings in its recently completed third quarter, which ended September 26.

The Zandaam, the Netherlands-based retailer that operates five banners in the U.S. reported overall third quarter net sales of $20.8 billion (17.8 billion euros), up 6.8 percent, or 10.1 percent at constant exchange rates.

Driven by COVID-19 related sales gains, the employee-owned discounter will add jobs at all stores and increase wages for new and current associates at its two distribution centers.

Former Walmart, Family Dollar Executive To Oversee All Aspects Of Landover, MD-based Retailer’s Store Operations

The announcement was made at Wakefern’s virtual annual meeting held on October 22 during which chairman and CEO Joseph S. Colalillo, president and COO Joe Sheridan, and executive VP Chris Lane addressed Wakefern shareholders, store management and staff.

The Byron Center, MI-based wholesaler's Severn, MD full-service warehouse is expected to supply Amazon Fresh units with grocery items in the Mid-Atlantic and other future locations in the Northeast.

JOH recently announced the promotion of Laura George to vice president of human resources. George began her career with JOH in 2013. At that time, she had many years of experience in human resources, primarily in higher education. “I was looking for new challenges and opportunities to grow,” she said.…

MBBWL Sees Tax Gains For State, More Choice For Consumers

Acme Market’s offer was the highest among four bidders at yesterday’s auction to acquire 27 stores from bankrupt Kings Food Markets and Balducci’s Food Lover’s Market. The stores will be managed by Albertson’s Mid-Atlantic division and plans call for the Kings and Balducci’s banners to remain in place.

Nation’s largest wholesaler makes change at top after two key customers announce plans to leave the Keene, NH-based distributor.

New Jersey-based retailer co-op signs 10-year deal effective late 2021; UNFI to build new 1.3 million SF distribution center in Allentown, PA

Like other retailers and wholesalers that have benefited from COVID-19 demand, UNFI’s sales and earnings jumped significantly in Q4 and fiscal 2020. Its longtime CEO Steve Spinner announced his retirement by next July as the company experiences a stock price tumble.

Through this partnership, select stores in all five boroughs will begin offering their inventory online and via local delivery to underserved communities.

ESM Ferolie announced on September 1 the integration of LBM Sales, LLC into its sales and marketing agency. LBM Sales, LLC was founded in 1972 to represent confection, snack, beverage and grocery manufacturers to supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores and distributors in the Upstate New York Market. Kevin Weiner and…

As we do each year, Food Trade News asked some local retailers to discuss the way they address Hispanic Heritage Month in their stores. This year we are focusing on the impact of COVID-19 on these retailers’ operations. Our panelists are Jim Bottino, president of Bottino’s ShopRites, and Ivan Bueno,…

King Kullen has promoted three veteran executives who have more than 100 combined years of experience working for the Bethpage, NY retailer. Joseph W. Brown has been elevated to executive VP of the Long Island merchant. He began his career at King Kullen as a teenager 47 years ago and most recently served…

Michael J. Taverna, retired from Ahold USA, passed away unexpectedly on September 21 at his home; he was 66. Taverna was born on January 4, 1954 in the Bronx, NY. He was a son of Joseph Taverna Sr. and Pauline (Opalin) Taverna. A wonderful father, brother and friend, Taverna was…

A former defense contractor talks about how his entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for clean living led to the formation of his international plant-based milks company.

The combination of Acme Markets and Safeway’s Eastern Division creates powerhouse $6 billion division with 275 stores and 30,000 associates. Albertsons veteran Jim Perkins will serve as president with Tom Lofland, Bill Crosby, Rena Shiles, Donovan Ford and Jay Schneider named to new executive positions.

After a long tenure as chief executive of Rite Aid which ended last year, rival Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (WBA) has named John Standley of president of the global firm’s Walgreens drug unit August 31. In his new post, he will lead all Walgreens operations, and will have responsibility for…

Expansion Will Bring U.S. Store Total To More Than 150 Discount Units