Flashfood names Nicholas Bertram president and COO

Nicholas Bertram has been named president and chief operating officer of Flashfood, a digital marketplace that allows shoppers to purchase fresh items at a discounted rate.

In the newly created position, Bertram will focus on accelerating the Toronto-based Flashfood’s growth by enhancing capabilities and innovation that impact food insecurity and waste. The company added that he will work closely with Flashfood Founder and Chief Executive Officer Josh Domingues and internal department leaders.

“Nick brings an unprecedented level of first-hand leadership experience with some of the biggest names in the retail sector,” Domingues said in a statement. “His vision and successes around sustainable retailing align perfectly with our company's mission to reduce food that is wasted throughout the retail sector.”

Bertram, who has more than 20 years of retail experience, most recently was president of Ahold Delhaize’s The Giant Company, where Flashfood said he led the supermarket operator to historic growth through acquisitions, new formats, and market expansion, as well as exponential growth of digital engagement and ecommerce sales.

“Even greater than the commercial success was the impact Bertram had on its purpose-led culture,” the company said.

Bertram’s previous positions include serving as senior vice president, retail operations, for Jewel-Osco, and regional general manager for Walmart.

The Flashfood mobile app operates in more than 1,550 grocery locations throughout the U.S. and Canada, and its base of retailers is steadily expanding.

Last year, Pittsburgh-based Giant Eagle expanded the program to all 173 corporate Giant Eagle and Giant Eagle Market District stores in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

In addition, Loblaw Cos., Canada’s largest food and drug retailer, announced in November that with Flashfood it had diverted 40 million pounds of food from landfills and helped its shoppers save more than $110 million on groceries through the use of its digital marketplace across 720 Loblaw Cos. stores and franchises.

The Flashfood system allows consumers to browse deals of up to 50% off at participating locations. Products include meats, dairy, seafood, fresh fruits and vegetables, and snacks.