Smart & Final President Scott Drew set to retire

Chedraui USA, a grocery retailer in California and parent company for El Super, Smart & Final, and Fiesta Mart stores, has announced the retirement of Smart & Final President Scott Drew, effective Sept. 29.

With nearly 45 years in the retail grocery industry, Drew started his career in 1977 as a store courtesy clerk. He was promoted to president of Smart & Final in 2021, replacing former president and CEO David Hirz, who retired on Feb. 1, 2021.

So far, there has not been a replacement named. As president, Drew held the top executive post at Smart & Final reporting directly to Carlos Smith. Smith will continue to serve as CEO of Chedraui USA with Sean Mahony, senior vice president of store operations; Matt Reeve, senior vice president of sales and merchandising; and Dan Matarelli, group vice president of Chedraui USA marketing, now reporting directly to Smith.

Drew became chief operating officer in June 2020, when Smart & Final created the position. He previously served as executive vice president of stores, executive VP of administration, and executive VP of operations. 

He joined Smart & Final in March 2010 as senior VP of store operations. His responsibilities at the time included leading store operations, real estate, construction and maintenance, supply chain, and sales and merchandising. 

From June 2018 to September 2021, he also served as chairman of Smart & Final Mexico, a joint venture operating 16 stores in northwestern Mexico. He came to Smart & Final from The Kroger Co., where he served as vice president of store operations for Kroger’s Central Division in Indianapolis.

Chedraui USA is based in Los Angeles and is the fourth-largest grocery retailer in California with 377 locations in California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. The company employs more than 24,000 associates. A subsidiary of Grupo Comercial Chedraui based in Mexico, Chedraui USA focuses on the heritage of its three store banners.