Sprouts Farmers Market hires Alisa Gmelich as CMO

Sprouts Farmers Market on Wednesday announced the hiring of Alisa Gmelich as SVP and chief marketing officer.

Gmelich will oversee marketing, advertising and customer engagement at the Phoenix-based grocery retailer.

She has more than 25 years of experience in brand development, marketing strategy and customer loyalty, the company said. Gmelich most recently served as chief brand officer and restaurant chain Auntie Anne’s.

We’re thrilled to welcome Alisa to the Sprouts team,” Sprouts President and COO Nick Konat said in a statement. “Her experience in building brands and growing customer engagement will be instrumental in shaping Spouts’ marketing strategy to support our expansion and deepen loyalty with our customers.”

Before joining Auntie Anne’s, Gmelich spent more than 15 years in the restaurant industry in roles such as VP of marketing at IHOP, where she led customer growth strategy, national programs and menu innovation. Before that, she led a marketing team for Burger King Corporation as director of U.S. sales and field marketing.

“I am extremely humbled to join Sprouts, a brand that I’ve long admired for innovation and purpose,” Gmelich said in a statement. “Providing communities access to healthy, affordable foods is more important today than ever before, and I look forward to helping the brand connect even further with customers nationwide in meaningful ways with the products they need and desire.”

Sprouts operates about 380 stores in 23 states nationwide.

Last month, the grocer opened two new stores, one in San Antonio, Texas, and another in Rancho Cordova, California.

The grocer, which built its brand on the strength of its produce department, reported in November that it has seen strong growth in deli and prepared foods as they seek convenience.

For the quarter ended Oct. 2, Sprouts reported same-store sales growth of 2.4% and net sales growth of 5%, to $1.6 billion.