U.K. VETERAN TO HEAD GROCERY AT WAL-MART U.S.
BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Wal-Mart Stores last week named Jack Sinclair executive vice president of grocery merchandise for Wal-Mart in the U.S. Sinclair, 47, will oversee the grocery business for Wal-Mart's U.S. division and will integrate planning, category management and store experience into the overall grocery business unit. Sinclair will report to John Fleming, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Wal-Mart Stores U.S. Sinclair brings to Wal-Mart broad experience in grocery retailing in the United Kingdom. He spent 14 years at Safeway plc serving as group marketing and trading director, and prior to that he worked at Tesco Stores Ltd.
STEINHAFEL TO SUCCEED ULRICH AS TARGET CEO
MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. here said last week that longtime Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Bob Ulrich will retire as CEO on May 1. Gregg Steinhafel, president, was named by the company's board of directors to succeed him as CEO. Ulrich will remain chairman through the rest of 2008. Ulrich, 64, began his career at Dayton's, a former Target division, in 1967, and worked in various merchandising and executive posts before becoming chairman and CEO of Target Corp. in 1994. Under his tenure, the company has “nearly tripled its U.S. sales,” Target said. Steinhafel, 52, joined Target in 1979 and has been president since 1999.
SUPERVALU NAMES NEW FOOD SAFETY EXECUTIVE
MINNEAPOLIS — Supervalu here said last week it has named John Hanlin to the post of vice president, food safety, a new position. Hanlin, 51, was previously director of microbiology and thermal process, quality and regulatory operations for General Mills. At Supervalu he will be responsible for directing food safety and quality assurance programs across merchandising, distribution and retail operations as part of an effort to support the company's quality image and ensure regulatory compliance, including product recalls, the company said.
UNIFIED NAMES MILLER TO NEW STRATEGY POSITION
LOS ANGELES — Unified Grocers here said it has named Keith Miller executive director, business strategy, a new position. Miller, a consultant, worked for Unified in a similar position in 1999, after Unified acquired United Grocers, Portland, Ore. He left in March 2000 to form Covenant Development Group, one of whose clients was Associated Grocers of Seattle, which was acquired last year by Unified. In his new position Miller will work on strategic planning functions and oversee special projects. He is currently coordinating the integration of the Seattle operation. Miller, who will be based at Unified's Portland, Ore., office, reports to Christine Neal, vice president and treasurer.
MARSH HIRES DAVIDSON, CANTRELL FOR NEW POSTS
INDIANAPOLIS — Marsh Supermarkets here last week hired Tops Markets veteran Mike Davidson as vice president of operations and Harris Teeter veteran Gary Cantrell as director of floral merchandising. Davidson most recently was vice president of merchandising/operations at Tops, based in Williamsville, N.Y., and previously was with First National Supermarkets, Maple Heights, Ohio. Cantrell, a 30-year veteran of the industry, held previous perishables and floral positions with Pueblo International, Food Lion and Malone & Hyde.
IGA PROMOTES FRITSCH, BENNETT, WALZ
CHICAGO — IGA here said last week it had promoted three executives: Doug Fritsch, who joined IGA USA in May 2005 as vice president, U.S. chief growth officer, has been promoted to senior vice president, retail and business development; David Bennett, who joined IGA USA in July 2007 as vice president, procurement and private brands, has been promoted to senior vice president, procurement and private brands; and Jim Walz, who was appointed senior director, marketing, branding and business development for IGA USA in August 2005, has been promoted to vice president, marketing, branding and business development.
