Rosauers Supermarkets names Cliff Rigsbee CEO

Former Albertsons executive Cliff Rigsbee is joining Rosauers Supermarkets as president and chief executive officer, succeeding longtime CEO Jeff Philipps, who is retiring. 

Plans call for Rigsbee, currently CEO and chief marketing officer at spring water company Hawaiian Springs, to start at Rosauers on June 21, the Spokane, Wash.-based regional operator of 22 grocery stores said yesterday. Philipps is slated to retire on Aug. 13.

“Cliff is very well-qualified with extensive industry experience and an enthusiasm to create vision and success for our company and employees,” Philipps wrote in a letter to employees on his retirement.

Rigsbee (left) has served as CEO and CMO at Honolulu-based Hawaiian Springs since joining the company in April. That followed a 29-year career at supermarket giant Albertsons Cos./Albertson’s LLC, most recently as the senior vice president of merchandising and marketing for Safeway’s Northern California division from November 2018 to September 2020. 

Before that, Rigsbee held the post of vice president of merchandising and marketing for Albertsons’ 120-store Denver division (November 2017 to November 2018) and its 84-store Intermountain division (February 2017 to November 2017). He also served as corporate vice president of grocery retail support for six Albertsons divisions, supporting such retail banners as Jewel-Osco and Acme, among others.

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Previously, Rigsbee also served in such roles as Albertsons group store director and store director for parent Supervalu, as well as alcohol beverage sales manager for Albertson’s LLC, the predecessor of Albertsons Cos.

“I am unbelievably excited to join the Rosauers team,” Rigsbee said in a statement. “Rosauers has always been a leader in selection, quality, service and giving back to the communities they serve. I’m committed to retaining the more than 80-year legacy of putting customers and employees first while leading Rosauers to be the neighborhood solution in this ever-changing world.”

Philipps (left) has served as Rosauers president and CEO since coming to the company in July 2000 and has been in the industry for over 49 years. Prior to that, he was vice president of marketing for Fleming Foods (May 1999 to June 2000) and chief operating officer of Carr-Gottstein Foods (February 1996 to April 1999).

Rosauers noted that Philipps led the expansion of the retailer’s footprint into six new markets and grew sales to almost $600 million during his tenure.

“There will always be more work to be done, but as I retire, I am confident that Rosauers is on solid ground with amazing talent and experience to take on the challenges of our industry, and lead in a manner that will create future success for all,” Philipps commented.

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Overall, Rosauers operates 22 supermarkets in Washington, Montana, Idaho and Oregon. The chain is a subsidiary of URM Stores, a Spokane-based grocery wholesale cooperative.