Former President Back at Shaw's

JON SPRINGER

WEST BRIDGEWATER, Mass. — Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

Shaw's last week said that Larry Wahlstrom is returning to once again serve as president of the retailer. Wahlstrom, who became the company's president in September 2007, returned to his role effective last week after retiring last July. Mike Witynski, who replaced Wahlstrom as president upon his retirement, left the company to pursue other interests, Shaw's said.

Shaw's has endured a tumultuous year, including a withdrawal of its stores in Connecticut and a four-month strike affecting a distribution center in Massachusetts. In addition, industry speculation persists that the entire chain could be for sale.

Burt P. Flickinger III, managing director of Strategic Resource Group, New York, told SN that his recent study of Shaw's revealed low customer counts and pricing and promotional issues plaguing its stores.

“Shelf pricing was too high and promotions were too weak,” Flickinger said. Wahlstrom, whose prior experience includes executive positions at Albertsons, Osco's New England division and Jewel-Osco, has a strong background in store operations and merchandising and would be welcome back at Shaw's, he added.

“Larry is a proven leader who, over the course of his impressive career, made many contributions to our company's success,” Pete Van Helden, executive vice president of retail operations at Shaw's parent Supervalu, said in a statement. “I am pleased he will again be leading the Shaw's team. With his knowledge and experience, I know he will be able to hit the ground running.”

“It is great to be back at Shaw's working again with my colleagues and friends in the company,” said Wahlstrom. “I look forward to getting to work on the tasks ahead of us and meeting our customers' needs.”