The grocery industry saw no shortage of executive changes in May, with a flurry of announcements surrounding new CEOs.
Arguably, the industry’s biggest change came at the tail end of last month, when Aldi U.S. announced that 20-year veteran and current Chief Operating Officer Atty McGrath will soon step into the CEO role.
Instacart is readying to part ways with its leader, Fidji Simo, who will take a top role at OpenAI. The company appointed insider Chris Rogers, its current chief business officer, to the helm.
A beloved regional grocer also made headlines when Market Basket’s board placed the chain’s CEO on leave. Loyal customers were quick to take up arms on social media and indicated they were ready and willing to boycott Market Basket for the second time to show their loyalty to its CEO, affectionately called “Artie T.”
Here’s a roundup of top-level executive shifts that unfolded in May.
Aldi US CEO to depart for Europe
Aldi U.S. announced at the end of last month that current CEO Jason Hart is becoming group COO of Aldi South in Austria and that COO McGrath will take over the top leadership role.
McGrath has spent her entire career with Aldi, holding a variety of leadership positions including district manager, director of operations, division vice president and, most recently, COO, according to the press release.
Hart, who served as the discounter’s stateside division CEO for 10 years, will step into his new role on Sept.1 and then help oversee global operations. Hart will also join Aldi South’s executive board.
Instacart readies for new CEO
Instacart’s top executive Simo is taking her AI expertise to OpenAI, where she will serve in the CEO position. The grocery solution company’s Chief Business Officer Chris Rogers will take over as CEO, effective Aug. 15.
Rogers will step into the top role after almost six years with the grocery technology company, including around three years in his current role.
Instacart positioned Rogers as a leader with decades of experience spanning consumer goods, technology, retail and media, noting that he has focused on “driving growth at the intersection of brands, retailers, and technology” in his current role.
Market Basket CEO placed on leave
The New England grocer’s executive committee says it’s investigating claims that CEO Arthur T. Demoulas planned to stage a work stoppage and has put the company’s leader on paid administrative leave. Meanwhile, Demoulas claims the move is a cover for a “hostile takeover.”
It’s the latest dramatic turn for the popular regional grocer, which faced a widely publicized revolt from shoppers in 2014 after the board ousted Demoulas. Demoulas eventually acquired the business for $1.6 billion.
Family Dollar names CEO
As the budget retailer readies to separate from parent company Dollar Tree, Duncan MacNaughton has been appointed chairman and CEO. Family Dollar President Jason Nordin will retain his position.
MacNaughton will assume his new role after Dollar Tree completes the $1 billion sale of Family Dollar to two private equity firms. The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.
Coborn’s appoints new president, keeping leadership in the family
Coborn’s, Inc. announced the promotion of Emily Coborn Wright to president of the company, according to a LinkedIn post from the grocer.
Wright has served in a variety of positions for the Minnesota-based company, including communications manager, director of Topco programs, district manager, vice president of fresh merchandising and vice president of operations. She is the fifth generation of Coborn family leadership.
Fresh Value names CEO
The Birmingham, Alabama, grocer named Terry Stanley as its new CEO, Stanley announced in a LinkedIn post. Stanley most recently served as Fresh Value’s chief operating officer, a role he took on when he joined the grocer in 2022, per his profile.
