The grocery industry saw several C-suite changes in August, including CEO announcements by Target and Save A Lot.
United Natural Foods, Inc. welcomed a new retail division head last month and Houchens Food Group, Inc. named a new chief operating officer.
Here’s a roundup of top-level executive shifts that unfolded in August.
Albertsons names CEO for India innovation center
The grocery company has tapped Sunil Gopinath as CEO of Albertsons Companies India, its new global technology and innovation center located in Bengaluru.
Gopinath, who brings over 25 years of experience in building and scaling global technology operations from working at companies such as Rakuten, eBay and Flipkart, will lead the development of the Bengaluru center. Run by a subsidiary of Albertsons, the center will onboard workers over the next 18 months and marks a strategic investment in developing scalable technology solutions.
Save A Lot promotes COO to top post
The discounter announced the promotion of Chief Operating Officer Bill Mayo to CEO. The appointment is the latest in Mayo’s quick ascent at Save A Lot, which he joined in March 2024.
Mayo is taking over from Fred Boehler, who will remain in an active advisory role to both Mayo and Save A Lot’s board of directors over the coming months. The move comes at a time when Save A Lot has recently turned to store remodels, new formats and store fleet growth.
Target says CEO Brian Cornell will exit
Target announced that it has named Chief Operating Officer Michael Fiddelke as its next CEO. Target said it will announce a new COO at a later date. After the CEO announcement, Fiddelke told investors he plans to revitalize the struggling retailer with strategies such as leveraging its expertise in style and design.
Cornell, who has helmed Target since 2014, is leaving the role at the retailer on Feb. 1. Cornell led Target to become a more than $100-billion company and, during his 11-year tenure, the retailer saw its revenue increase by $34 billion. His exit comes after months of Target grappling with headwinds, such as consumer backlash to its DEI changes and sales declines.
SpartanNash makes trio of executive changes
SpartanNash hired Jason Ulichnie as vice president of OwnBrands Marketing, Ed Rybicki as senior vice president and chief information officer, and Brett Hoffman as vice president and chief information security officer. The executive changes come as SpartanNash prepares to be acquired by C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Ulichnie brings around 20 years of retail and restaurant experience, including private brand roles at Walmart, Schnuck Markets and Southeastern Grocers.
Meanwhile, Rybicki and Hoffman joined as SpartanNash navigates a tumultuous period that included the departure of its chief strategy and information officer in April.
UNFI names top Coborn’s executive as retail division leader
David Best, former president and chief operating officer at Coborn’s Inc., became president and CEO of UNFI’s retail division last month. Best will be responsible for accelerating the company’s retail business growth strategy and leading its Cub Foods and Shoppers Food Warehouse banners, according to UNFI.
Best took over the role held by Andre Persaud, who left on July 25 after less than two years with the company.
PCC Community Market names new CFO
The Seattle-based grocery co-op announced the appointment of Amy Chow to CFO. Chow succeeds Chris Naismith, who retired in March.
Chow brings extensive experience across retail, technology and consulting sectors to the grocer, including a dozen years with Sur La Table.
Chow joins PCC just a few months after the company announced it turned a “modest profit at year-end” in 2024 after an unprofitable 2023.
Houchens Food Group names new COO
The company, which runs more than 400 stores throughout 15 states, announced it is bringing on Brian Shillinglaw as its new chief operating officer.
He brings over two decades of leadership experience in grocery retail, specializing in merchandising, operations and human resources, including roles at Winn-Dixie, Southeastern Grocers, Rouses Supermarkets, Harris Teeter and Target. He most recently served as CEO of Seasons Kosher Supermarkets, according to his LinkedIn.
Shillinglaw will assume his COO responsibilities in October.
Grocery Outlet appoints chief store operations officer
Grocery Outlet announced the hiring of Frank Kerr as its executive vice president and chief store operations officer. Kerr most recently served as chief customer officer at Lidl US for nearly two years. Kerr will step into the new roles on Sept. 15.
The appointment marks the latest C-suite change at Grocery Outlet as the discounter looks to turn around its financial performance and focuses on attracting and retaining top talent.
