There was an extraordinary amount of executive movement in top jobs at some major US retailers yesterday. Let’s break it down:
- Sam K. Duncan, president of Fred Meyer Corp., is leaving the Kroger-owned company to join Wisconsin-based discount retailer ShopKo Stores as president and CEO.
He succeeds Jeffrey Girard, who had been interim CEO since April, when William J. Podany resigned from the job.
Girard will continue as vice chairman of finance and administration. - Kroger Senior Vice President Warren F. Bryant, who has been with the company for almost four decades, resigned to accept a position with another, unnamed company.
Bryant was responsible for the retail divisions, including Atlanta, Central, Delta, Fred Meyers Stores, QFC, Mid-Atlantic and Jay C Food Stores.
A successor to Bryant has not yet been named. - The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) announced that Elizabeth Culligan will step down as president and chief operating officer to pursue opportunities outside the company. A spokesman for the company said the move was “performance-related.”
At the same time, A&P moved to separate its US and Canadian business, hoping that the move will both improve US performance as well as maintain the growth being seen by the company in Canada.
Brian Piwek, a former CEO of A&P Canada, was named president and CEO of A&P in the US.
Eric Claus, president and of Co-op Atlantic, a retail and wholesale food company, will become CEO of A&P Canada. - Spartan Stores Chairman, President, and CEO James Meyer announced he will retire next year, after 30 years with the company.
A search firm has been hired to find a replacement.
- KC's View:
