Save Mart Appoints Shane Sampson as Executive Chairman

The Save Mart Cos. and Kingswood Capital Management LP have named Shane Sampson as executive chairman of the California-based regional grocer, according to an April 4 statement.

A fourth-generation grocer, Sampson brings nearly four decades of experience to The Save Mart Cos., which was recently acquired by Kingswood Capital Management LP.

"We are thrilled to have Shane on the team," said Alex Wolf, a partner of Kingswood, in a statement. "His retail acumen is unparalleled, and he has driven results across all the companies he's been a part of leading. We're looking forward to leveraging his significant retail experience into The Save Mart Cos.' operations."

Sampson credited the Save Mart Cos. for having built a “wonderful operation in the Central Valley of California throughout their 70 years of serving their customers and communities."

He added, "The family and leadership team have done a tremendous job in establishing and perpetuating a commitment to innovation and service, and I think there is an exceptional opportunity to invest in and grow The Save Mart Cos.' brands.

Ready to contribute, Sampson said he is “excited to join the company at such a pivotal time for the Save Mart, FoodMaxx and Lucky California stores. I'm looking forward to leading the team into the next phase of growth and innovation and beyond."

Sampson's experience includes building brands, implementing innovative marketing and merchandising programs, and leading strategic operations. He began his career in grocery as a retail clerk.

Sampson worked his way from the ground up, which culminated in being named Albertsons Cos.' chief marketing and merchandising officer.

Instrumental in driving Albertsons' merchandising strategy, Sampson oversaw the grocer’s development and innovation of digital and e-commerce strategies as well as the scale of Albertsons' private label brands. He helped build customer and associate engagement across 2,300 stores, and as a result, Albertsons recognized Sampson in 2017 as Mass Market Retailer's Merchant of the Year and the following year, as the Retail TouchPoints' 2018 Innovator Award.

Sampson’s past leadership roles include president of two separate Albertsons divisions: Jewel-Osco and Shaws/Star Market. He also held executive positions at Ahold's Giant of Landover, Walmart's Sam's Club and Schwazze, a Dye Capital portfolio company based in Denver.

His most recent leadership roles include a position at Meridian, Idaho-based Jacksons Cos., where he served as a board member on its ExtraMile joint venture with Chevron.