SpartanNash Hires Amazon Fresh Leader as New Merchandising Chief

SpartanNash has named Bennett Morgan, most recently a category leader for Amazon's Amazon Fresh stores, as the company's new SVP of merchandising.

Morgan will begin his new role Jan. 24 and will report directly to CEO Tony Sarsam, according to a news release from Grand Rapids, Mich.-based SpartanNash. Morgan succeeds Joe McQuesten as merchandising chief; details about McQuesten's departure from the role weren't immediately available.

Morgan has worked at Amazon since May 2020, having joined the company to lead center-store category management for Fresh stores and most recently directing produce and proteins. His grocery experience extends back 10 years and includes leadership roles at H-E-B and Walmart Asia. At Walmart, Morgan helped lead cost negotiations and use of advanced data analytics to support assortment, pricing and promotions, SpartanNash's news release stated.

"Bennett will play a critical role in driving innovation for our customers and excellence with our in-store experience," Sarsam said in the release.

Sarsam, who took over at retailer and distributor SpartanNash in September 2020, has been shaping the company's leadership team since his arrival: Morgan's hiring marks the seventh executive leadership move made under Sarsam's watch. Last week, SpartanNash promoted Amy McClellan, who had been reporting to McQuesten as VP of fresh merchandising, to SVP and chief marketing officer. Like Morgan, McClellan now reports directly to Sarsam.

In November, SpartanNash reported that comp sales moved back into growth territory after posting year-over-year declines in the first two fiscal quarters of 2021. Net retail sales rose 2% in the third quarter, helped by a continued trend toward dining at home, the inflationary environment and what CFO Jason Monaco called consistent retail execution. However, challenges sourcing both labor and products are continued headwinds, Sarsam stated. The company will release its fourth-quarter and fiscal 2021 earnings next month.