The grocery industry saw multiple high-level executive changes in November, including Walmart’s appointment of a new CEO and Instacart’s announcement that its new CEO will take over as chair of its board. In addition, Schnuck Markets said that the great-grandson of its founder has moved up to serve as chief operating officer.
Here’s a roundup of top-level executive shifts that unfolded last month in the grocery sector.
Instacart names new board chair
The grocery technology provider’s board appointed CEO Chris Rogers to take over as chair from Fidji Simo, who submitted her resignation on Nov. 21, according to a regulatory filing.
Simo, who formerly served as CEO and president of Instacart, left those positions earlier in the year to become president of OpenAI’s applications group but remained as chair “to ensure a smooth transition” as Rogers took on the role of chief executive, Instacart said. Her departure as chair “is not due to any disagreement with the Company or any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies, or practices,” according to the filing.
Walmart appoints new CEO
John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart’s U.S. unit, will take over from Doug McMillon as president and CEO of the retailer’s worldwide operations on Feb. 1, the company announced on Nov. 14. Furner was also elected to the company’s board, effectively immediately. Walmart, which has recently seen strong grocery sales, plans to announce a successor to Furner by the end of its current fiscal year.
McMillon, who became president and CEO of Walmart in 2014, is retiring after working for the company for more than 40 years. He will remain on the board through next June and serve as an adviser to Furner until January 2027.
Schnucks names new COO
The Midwestern supermarket chain appointed Ted Schnuck, the great-grandson of its founder, as chief operating officer. Schnuck ascended to the position after serving as an executive vice president of the grocer since 2021. In his new job, Schuck will oversee the company’s daily operations, strategic initiatives and functions including merchandising and marketing.
In addition, Schnucks Chief Financial and Administrative Officer David Bell has become president of the 1939 Group, the newly formed holding company that controls Schnucks and other grocers the Schnucks family owns. Bell will remain in his role at Schnucks.
Coborn’s brings on a new CFO
The Minnesota-based food retailer said in a LinkedIn post that it hired Carol O’Shea as executive vice president and CFO. O’Shea is replacing Jim Shaw, who is retiring from Coborn’s.
“Carol has a proven track record of driving growth, fostering collaboration, and leading high-performing teams. We are confident she will continue building on the strong foundation Jim has established,” Coborn’s wrote in the post.
Dollar General makes several senior executive appointments
The discounter promoted Emily Taylor to chief operating officer and named Bryan Wheeler to replace her as chief merchandising officer. Wheeler previously served as senior vice president and general merchandise manager.
In addition, the retailer named Pooh Vichidvongsa as general merchandise manager and Shareeka Meadows as senior vice president of Popshelf.
Dollar General also said in November that it appointed Travis Nixon to the newly created role of senior vice president of artificial intelligence optimization.
National Co+op Grocers names new CEO
Tandy Harvey, a former UNFI and SuperValu executive, will become chief executive of the business services cooperative on Jan. 1. She will take over as head of the group, which serves 167 grocery co-ops, from C.E. Pugh, who is retiring.
