EXECUTIVE CHANGES 2007-05-28

A&P TAPS SAFEWAY'S PALMER AS VP OF STORE BRANDS

MONTVALE, N.J. — A&P here said it has hired Safeway veteran Douglas Palmer as vice president of its own brands. He will report directly to Rebecca Philbert, senior vice president of merchandising and supply & logistics. Palmer most recently was vice president of consumer brands at Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway, where A&P said he “led the development of the company's brand rationalization and consolidation initiative, the redesign of its own brand labeling, and the launch of its corporate organic products brand,” O Organics. He has previously held positions at Ahold USA, Daymon Worldwide, Meijer Inc. and Farm Fresh.

EXECUTIVE LEAVES PATHMARK TO JOIN SEARCH FIRM

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Executive search firm Retail-iQ said it has named Tom Smith, director of store brands for Pathmark Stores, Carteret, N.J., to be division president here. Smith said he was scheduled to leave Pathmark Stores last week. “We are very pleased to have someone with Tom's experience take a leadership role within our firm. His 25-plus years in the industry will be a great asset,” said Gary Preston and Bill Reffett, co-founders of Retail-iQ, which specializes in placing mid-level management.