Sponsored By

Superior Grocers names Richard Wardwell as president

CEO says SoCal chain ‘well-positioned for success’ with veteran executive’s promotion

Russell Redman

January 3, 2020

1 Min Read
Superior Grocers store banner.PNG
Superior Grocers operates 46 supermarkets across the Los Angeles area.Superior Grocers

Supermarket retail veteran Richard Wardwell has been promoted to president at Superior Grocers.

In his new role, Wardwell will continue to oversee all aspects of the company, Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based Superior Grocers said Friday. He previously was chief operating officer of the independent grocery chain, which has 46 stores in Southern California.

Richard Wardwell-Superior Grocers-headshot.jpgRichard Wardwell has served as an operations executive since joining Superior Grocers over five years ago. (Photo courtesy Superior Grocers)

“It is an exciting time for Superior Grocers,” Chairman and CEO Mimi Song said in a statement. “As we enter a new decade, there are definitely more challenges and opportunities in the grocery and retail industry, and with Rich’s leadership, our company will be well-positioned for success.”

Wardwell has served as COO for more than two-and-a-half years. He joined Superior Grocers in November 2014 as vice president of operations and then in July 2015 became senior vice president, with expanded responsibilities. The company promoted him to the COO post, also retaining his senior VP title, in July 2015.

Superior Grocers noted that Wardwell began his 35-year retail grocery career as a courtesy clerk and worked his way up through the ranks. Before coming to the company, he was vice president of operations for the Food Source banner at Raley’s from 2011 to 2014 and store manager of a Walmart in Ceres, Calif., from 2010 to 2011. Prior to that, he served as director of operations at Save Mart Supermarkets from 2007 to 2009.

Related:B&R Stores taps Mark Griffin as president, COO

Founded in 1981, Superior Grocers operates stores across the Los Angeles area and adjacent communities. Store departments include meat, seafood, produce, dairy, deli, frozen, grocery, beer/wine/spirits, general merchandise and floral, along with a full-service bakery, hot foods and tortilleria.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like