How one grocer came back from cancer

Independent supermarket operators need to be creative, scrappy fighters, battling every day for every customer in their market, according to Rob Marsh, chief operating officer at Pyramid Foods, a 37-store retailer based in Springfield, Mo.

That’s why Marsh fits his role as COO perfectly. A 26-year veteran of Pyramid who has held just about every position at the company, Marsh has spearheaded several major initiatives that have driven sales and profitability, and boosted Pyramid’s standing in the communities it serves.

As the point person on the annual Price Cutter Charity Championship golf tournament, for example, Marsh has helped raise more than $21 million for local children’s charities. He also created a concept called the “Team Store,” which raises money for local schools by selling apparel and other items supporting the schools’ sports teams. That program has generated more than $60,000 in just the first several months.

“It was a win for us, too, because it brought in a lot of people and on game nights, and other times,” said Marsh of the Team Store concept. “Anytime parents are looking for gear, they know where to go now, so it has been a win for everybody.”

Marsh came up with the idea after realizing there were no local outlets selling sports paraphernalia for his own children’s school, he said.

In addition to his efforts around these fundraising activities, Marsh also has contributed significantly to the operational performance of Pyramid Foods. He has long been involved in store construction and development, and has been instrumental in converting acquired stores, and helping design new and remodeled locations.

He credits the company’s longtime president and CEO, Eric Taylor, with guiding him toward a focus on store development and design.

Marsh also oversees the company’s partnership with Starbucks, which now has 18 locations in Pyramid Foods stores, with three more locations on the way. Marsh has managed that relationship for the past 20 years.

He’s currently spearheading some technology initiatives at the company, including using a solution designed to help minimize shrink and an artificial intelligence application to help optimize pricing.

“My focus right now is how can I use [these technologies] to help us make better decisions and help us be more profitable,” said Marsh.

He has also been focused on training and development of other store leaders, a role that evolved while he was seeking to recover from a leukemia diagnosis a few years ago. Marsh scaled back his workload, at the advice of his doctors, and was managing a single store, when he turned it into a training venue for store managers.

A connection that Taylor had in Minneapolis helped Marsh receive a diagnosis and treatment at the Mayo Clinic, which has enabled him to continue to contribute to Pyramid’s success.

“I’m back and as passionate and energetic as I have ever been, and ready to fight,” he said.

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This feature is part of our 2024 “SN Independent Superstars” list: see more superstars here.