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Raley’s appoints chief customer experience officer

Regional grocer eyes more seamless environment between stores, online

Russell Redman

December 19, 2018

2 Min Read
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Deirdre Zimmermann has been promoted to the newly created position of chief customer experience officer at Raley’s.

In the new role, Zimmermann is charged with devising and executing a strategy that integrates customer and employee experiences in all Raley’s stores and online, the West Sacramento, Calif.-based supermarket chain said. A key focus will be Raley’s vision of changing the way that customers eat to foster health and wellness.

“At Raley’s, we strive to put our team members and customers at the center of our vision to deliver a differentiated experience that transcends price and product offering,” Zimmermann said in a statement. “It is a privilege to continue to evolve the brand, centered around our purpose of improving the health of the people we serve.”

Deirdre Zimmermann

Photo: Raley's

Deirdre_Zimmermann_Raleys.pngBefore her promotion, Zimmerman served as senior vice president of marketing and e-commerce since joining Raley’s in December 2015. Prior to that, she was vice president of marketing for several specialty retailers, including Brookstone and White House Black Market, and worked in-house and for advertising agencies representing brands such as Fitigues, Jil Sander, The Field Museum and Talbots.

Raley’s noted that Zimmermann has helped grow market share with a targeted digital marketing strategy to attract new customers and bolster loyalty through the retailer’s Something Extra Rewards program. She also led improvements and spurred growth in the online shopping experience on Raleys.com, according to the company.

Related:Raley’s takes aim at added sugar in cereal

Zimmermann will continue to report to Keith Knopf, president and CEO of Raley’s.

“Deirdre is a proven executive whose skill and leadership has contributed greatly to Raley’s success,” said Knopf. “In her new role of chief customer experience officer, she will be instrumental in shaping the engagement of our team members and enriching the experience for our customers as part of our brand’s transformation.”

Raley’s operates 129 stores in California and Nevada under the Raley’s, Bel Air Markets, Nob Hill Foods, Food Source and Market 5-ONE-5 banners.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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