Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store
• Allegiance Retail Services, LLC has named Jason Ferreira as CEO as part of the co-op board’s succession development plan.
• King Kullen has promoted Frank Vassallo to Senior Vice President of Store Operations, Chris La Bella to Senior Director of Merchandising and project management, and Andrew Wasserman to director of center store merchandising and procurement.
• Lidl US has named Alan Barry, currently chief operating officer, as CEO effective in July.
• Northgate González Market has appointed Marina Filippelli as chief marketing and branding officer, effective May 26.
• Publix reported that Todd Jones retired at the end of May after a 46-year career, including service as president, CEO, and executive chairman.
• Stinker Stores has named Chair and owner Nancy Jones as CEO after President and CEO Nate Brazier’s departure, and promoted Randy Strain to COO, Cory Mooney to CTO, and Lesley Segadelli to chief experience officer.
• The Kroger Co. reported several senior leadership departures, including Jamie Lancaster’s exit and the retirements of Tim Massa and Valerie Jabbar.
Restaurant
• Cafe Rio has appointed Mike Burns as CEO after his prior role as CEO of Latitude Food Group, owner of &pizza and Tijuana Flats.
• Layne’s Chicken Fingers will open its 50th restaurant in Lubbock, TX, on June 13 and plans 30 additional openings in 2026.
• Red Lobster will close its Times Square location on June 14 while continuing its broader post-bankruptcy turnaround.
Retail
• Five Below has moved its higher-priced Five Beyond inventory into the rest of the store rather than keeping it in a separate section.
• Lowe’s will open five new stores this year, starting with a Port St. Lucie, FL, location in June.
• Rent the Runway has officially installed former Nordstrom Chief Merchandising Officer Teri Bariquit as interim CEO, named Paige Thomas chief commercial officer, and named Dave Loretta interim CFO.
• Victoria’s Secret & Co. has appointed Melissa Thompson-Charatz as chief merchandising officer for Pink.
July 24, 2026
Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store • Albertsons Cos. will consolidate 11 divisions into four regions and centralize center store merchandising. Presidenthttps://www.chainstoreguide.com.
July 17, 2026
Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store • Associated Wholesale Grocers has named Kelly Kauffman as Chief Financial Officer, effective July 20. Gary Kochhttps://www.chainstoreguide.com.
July 10, 2026
Supermarket, Grocery, & C-Store • Brookshire Grocery Company will close four stores in Ashdown, AR; Rayville, LA; Winnfield, LA; andhttps://www.chainstoreguide.com.
