There are lots of changes in the new SN Power 50 list, which celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2007.
Some of the high and mighty fell a few notches because of a variety of challenges, including Wal-Mart's Lee Scott (from No. 1 to No. 4), who is battling lackluster same-store sales growth and pressure from a wide variety of constituencies, and Whole Foods' John Mackey (from No. 5 to No. 10), who has run into roadblocks with the proposed Wild Oats merger and is under fire for making anonymous online postings.
As these alternative-format CEOs dropped in the rankings, leaders of some traditional supermarkets each moved up one place (Supervalu's Jeff Noddle to No. 1, Kroger's David Dillon to No. 2 and Safeway's Steve Burd to No. 3). A&P's Christian Haub advanced into the Top 10 (at No. 9) because of his company's agreement to acquire Pathmark Stores.
This year's list is marked by a host of new players. Sir Terry Leahy of Tesco joins as his company prepares to enter the U.S. market with a much-anticipated new retail format. Amazon.com's Jeffrey Bezos makes a first-time appearance as the online retailer stakes a claim in the grocery business. Target's Robert Ulrich earns a place because of the retailer's stepped-up food offerings and its preparations for perishables self-distribution. Winn-Dixie's Peter Lynch is cited for bringing the retailer out of bankruptcy and improving employee morale.
The 2007 power list also includes first-time players who aren't retailers. John Partridge, interim president, Visa USA, represents a company doing battle with retailers over interchange fees charged for card transactions. The American Farmer was added, to highlight a group on the front lines of food safety and organic farming. TV's Rachael Ray's influence as a celebrity cook has helped change consumer eating habits.
The composition of the Power 50 list over its five-year existence has reflected key shifts in the supermarket business, including the rise and fall of the low-carb trend, the growing focus on food safety, the impact of healthy eating and a series of industry mergers (for more on the history, see Viewpoints, Page 20).
Names and rankings for the Power 50 were decided by SN's editors after a review of industry nominations made via SN's website. The editors also consulted with industry experts in making their final picks. The 2007 roster includes retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, investors, government officials, association leaders and others vital to the industry this year.
New Players to SN's 2007 Power List
15 Hank Meijer
co-chairman and CEO, Meijer Inc.
16 John Rishton
acting CEO, Ahold
17 Peter Lynch
president and CEO, Winn-Dixie Stores
21 Sir Terry Leahy
CEO, Tesco
22 Robert J. Ulrich
chairman and CEO, Target Corp.
23 Jeffrey A. Rein
chairman and CEO, Walgreen Co.
24 Joe DePinto
president and CEO, 7-Eleven
26 Jeff Bezos
founder and CEO, Amazon.com
28 Michael B. Polk
president, Unilever Americas
29 Indra Nooyi
chairman and CEO, PepsiCo
33 Brenda Barnes
chairman and CEO, Sara Lee
37 David Mackay
president and CEO, Kellogg Co.
41 Rachael Ray
celebrity cook
42 Charles Lloyd
chief operating officer, GS1 US
44 The American Farmer
45 John Partridge
interim president, Visa USA
47 Cal Dooley
president and CEO, GMA/FPA
50 Andrew C. von Eschenbach
commissioner, U.S. FDA
