Fresh Market Founders Leave Posts

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Members of the founding family behind The Fresh Market are transitioning out of their day-to-day roles, the retailer here said. Brett Berry, the son of the founder and current chief executive officer, said he would be leaving his role and that Craig Carlock, its chief operating officer, would take over as president and CEO. Michael Barry, the chain's chief financial officer, and a son-in-law of the founder, will also be leaving his post, and the company will conduct a search for his replacement. Both Berry and Barry will continue as board members. The Fresh Market last year said it was looking for new investors but abruptly pulled the company off the market in July, saying its founders “fell in love with the company all over again.”

GIANT NAMES MEIJER TO EVP POSITION

CARLISLE, Pa. — Giant Food Stores here announced last week that Casper Meijer has been appointed executive vice president of format and merchandising for the chain, effective Feb. 23. He succeeds Jeff Martin, former executive vice president of sales and merchandising, who recently transferred to Stop & Shop/Giant Landover in Quincy, Mass., as executive vice president of merchandising and supply chain. Meijer, who will report to Sander van der Laan, president and chief executive officer of Giant-Carlisle, will lead all merchandising and format development initiatives. He joined Ahold's Albert Heijn chain in 1999 and came to Stop & Shop/Giant-Landover in 2005 as senior vice president of corporate brands. Prior to joining Ahold, he worked at Unilever.

RALEY'S NAMES IKEA VETERAN BALL CFO

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Raley's here said last week it has named Don Ball as senior vice president and chief financial officer. He succeeds Bill Anderson, who retired last fall after 19 years with the company. Ball was formerly vice president and CFO for Ikea North America Services, Philadelphia. He was with Ikea for 20 years and was the first American member of the Sweden-based company's senior management team, Raley's said.

SABATTUS TAKES NEW VP POST AT BLOOM

SALISBURY, N.C. — Bloom Supermarkets here, a Food Lion banner with more than 60 stores in North and South Carolina, Virginia and Maryland, has named Paul Sabattus to the newly created position of vice president of merchandising and training. He assumes responsibility for all aspects of the chain's merchandising and retail training, including pricing strategy, assortment, sales and promotion, and margin management. Sabattus began his career in the supermarket industry in 1986, working at several supermarkets, including H.E. Butt Grocery Co. and Sweetbay, one of Food Lion's sister companies, where he most recently was vice president of marketing. Food Lion is a subsidiary of Brussels-based Delhaize Group.