Big Y Foods taps Michael Cormier as sales and marketing SVP

Big Y Foods is making changes within its sales and marketing team in announcing the upcoming retirement of Guy McFarlane.

The New England grocer said Thursday that McFarlane, senior vice president of sales and marketing, is slated to retire on Sept. 1 and be succeeded by Michael Cormier, currently vice president of center store.

A 46-year supermarket industry veteran, McFarlane has been Big Y since 1996, joining the with Springfield, Massachusetts-based retailer as meat and seafood merchandiser from Stop & Shop, where he began his career. He was promoted to director of meat and seafood in 2009 and then to VP of fresh foods in 2012 before becoming senior VP of sales and marketing in January 2017.

From left: Big Y SVP of sales and marketing Guy McFarlane and VP of center store Michael Cormier. / Photos courtesy of Big Y Foods

“We are thankful for Guy’s leadership over the past 27 years,” Big Y Chief Operating Officer Michael D’Amour said in a statement. “His efforts have been a major force behind our evolution into our customer’s digital experience and enhanced loyalty programs, as well as the development of a strong sales and marketing team that have helped us to grow as a company. We wish him all the best in his retirement.”

Cormier came to Big Y as senior director of center store in August 2019 and was elevated to VP of center store in August 2020. He started his 25-year grocery career in 1996 on the grocery night crew at Price Chopper Supermarkets in Connecticut. A year later, he was promoted to grocery manager and then to assistant store manager and store manager. In 2001, he joined Adams Hometown Markets as manager of the West Hartford, Conn., store, later becoming grocery category sales manager and then director of retail sales.

Next, Cormier entered the wholesale arena by joining distributor Bozzuto’s as grocery category sales manager. In 2008, he returned to Price Chopper as a grocery department category sales manager, later being promoted to such roles as director of center store, vice president of own brands and, in 2013, vice president of center store. In 2016, he joined C&S Wholesale Grocers as senior director of customer development, later becoming senior director of chain sales in January 2017.

Left to right: Steven Nordstrom, David Placzek and Scott Brackney of Big Y Foods. / Photos courtesy of Big Y

With the promotion of Cormier, Big Y appointed director of center store Steven Nordstrom, with the company since 1996, as senior director of center store. In other moves, David Placzek has been promoted from senior category manager of grocery to director of grocery, and Scott Brackney has been named director of store brands and retail pricing after serving as manager of Big Y brands. Nordstrom and Brackney report to Cormier, while Placzek reports to Nordstrom.

“We are fortunate to have these dedicated leaders ready to move into their new roles while poised to execute innovative and creative solutions across all areas of the company that will meet the evolving needs our extraordinary consumers,” D’Amour stated. “Together, we stand ready to support Mike, Steve, Dave and Scott as they grow into their new positions.”

Overall, Big Y operates 90 stores in Massachusetts and Connecticut, including 72 Big Y supermarkets, one Big Y at Fresh Acres grocery store, one Big Y Express Fresh Market, one Table & Vine Fine Wines & Liquors store and 15 Big Y Express convenience/fuel stores.