Paul Gossett tabbed as Jewel-Osco president

Albertsons Cos. has named supermarket industry veteran Paul Gossett president of Jewel-Osco following the recent death of Doug Cygan.

Previously, Gossett served as president of the Shaw’s and Star Market division, a role he held since the start of 2016. He joined the Shaw’s/Star Market team in March 2013 after Supervalu’s sale of the chains to Albertsons. Before his promotion to president of Shaw’s/Star Market, he was vice president of marketing and merchandising for Albertsons’ Southern division.   

Gossett (left) has more than 40 years of experience in grocery retailing. He began his career at Albertsons in 1977 and held positions of increasing responsibility, including vice president of marketing.

In 2001, he joined Acme Markets as vice president of marketing and then moved to Winn-Dixie in 2002, serving in various operations roles. After a brief return to Albertsons in 2006, including sales and merchandising roles, Gossett joined Nash Finch as senior director of merchandising in 2008. He came to Shaw’s Supermarkets in 2013 as vice president of marketing and merchandising and became president three years later.

With Gossett’s appointment to Jewel-Osco president, Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons has promoted Michelle Larson to president of Shaw’s and Star Market.

Most recently, Larson was senior vice president of marketing and merchandising for Albertsons Cos.’ Southwest division, a post she held since 2016. In her 23 years in the supermarket industry, she has served in a variety of roles, including marketing, floral, service deli and meat. 

Cygan (left) died on July 5 at age 55 after a brief illness. He had served at Jewel-Osco’s president since April 2017. Prior to that, he was vice president of marketing and merchandising for all 187 Jewel-Osco locations in the Chicagoland area. In that role, he supervised all aspects of the grocery chain’s marketing, merchandising, promotion and sales strategies.

His career at Jewel-Osco began more than three decades ago as a part-time clerk. He held in a range of operational roles and marketing/merchandising positions, including store director, marketing director, vice president of fresh merchandising and vice president of grocery merchandising. Albertsons acquired the chain from Supervalu Inc. in 2013.