Eidson Succeeds Sturken at Spartan

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Spartan Stores said its board of directors has named Dennis Eidson as the company's new chief executive officer, effective Oct. 15. Eidson, 54, has been Spartan's president and chief operating officer since last year. He would succeed Craig Sturken, who is slated to remain at the company as executive chairman. Before joining Spartan in 2003 as executive vice president of marketing and merchandising, Eidson had been president and CEO of A&P's Midwest region. Sturken also joined Spartan in 2003 and spearheaded a turnaround that included a series of acquisitions and divestitures.

WEATHERILL NEW CEO AT THE MARKETS

SEATTLE — The Markets LLC, successor company to Brown & Cole Stores here, has named Kevin Weatherill as president and chief executive officer. He succeeds Craig Cole, who is retiring after 22 years at the company's helm. Weatherill originally joined Brown & Cole in 1985 and was chief operating officer when he left in 2000 to join a local seafood supplier, where he eventually became CEO. He also opened his own business, Whatcom Falls Mini-Mart and Deli, but was asked by Craig Cole in 2006 to return as his planned successor. Since emerging from a Chapter 11 reorganization in late 2007, The Market operates 20 stores in Washington, Oregon and Montana under various banners. Once the largest shareholder and second-largest customer of Associated Grocers here, which is now part of Unified Grocers, Los Angeles, the company has switched its wholesaling business to Supervalu, Minneapolis. Besides Weatherill, other new executives include Clark Jordan, vice president, operations, formerly with AG; Michael Tyson, vice president, Center Store, also formerly with AG; and Sal LoGrande, vice president, perishables, formerly with Northwest Grocers here.

UNITED NATURAL'S ANTONELLI RETIRES

DAYVILLE, Conn. — United Natural Foods said that Richard Antonelli has retired as executive vice president, chief operating officer and president of distribution. He also resigned as a director. United, a distributor of natural, organic and specialty products to food retailers, said Antonelli's duties will be assumed by the company's other executive officers, including Michael Funk, chief executive officer, as part of a realignment of responsibilities. Antonelli, 51, had been with United and its predecessor since 1985 and had served in his most recent roles since 2005.

GIANT PROMOTES APPLEBY TO AD SLOT

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant Food Stores here announced last week the promotion of Nancy Appleby to the newly created position of senior director of advertising and marketing. She will report directly to Erik Keptner, senior vice president of advertising and marketing, and will be responsible for leading the advertising, sales and marketing teams at Giant in the development of strategic marketing, promotional planning and advertising. Appleby was previously the director of advertising for Giant. She has more than 30 years of experience working for Ahold, Giant's parent company. She joined Giant's advertising department in 1996; prior to that she worked at Ahold's former Edwards division.