Grocery giant names retail vet as COO
Albertsons Companies has tapped an experienced retail operator — and a former associate — to head up operations.
Jim Donald has been appointed president and COO of Albertsons Companies, effective immediately. Donald previously held senior leadership roles at both Albertson’s and Safeway, Inc. He also served as a member of the board of directors of Rite Aid from 2008 to 2013.
Most recently, Donald served as CEO of Extended Stay America, from 2012 to 2015. From 2009 to 2011, he served as president and CEO of food and pharmacy retailer Haggen. Prior to that, he spent six years at Starbucks, working his way up from president of its North America Division to president and CEO of Starbucks Corporation.
Earlier in his career, Donald led Pathmark Stores, and held a variety of senior management positions with Albertson’s, Safeway, and Walmart.
“Having first worked at Albertsons 42 years ago, I have watched as an insider and from afar how their keen focus on customer service maintained a solid foundation for their team through the years,” Donald said. Their acquisitive nature combined with their recent innovation efforts and strong Own Brands portfolio have helped them to build an even stronger company today. I look forward to being a part of the team that takes this great company into the future and continues to serve the food, health, and wellness needs of today’s busy customers.”
As president and COO, Donald will have responsibility for the operations of the retailer’s portfolio of more than 2,300 stores and help with the acceleration of the company’s growing omnichannel platform. Following the close of the recently announced merger with Rite Aid — which still awaits approval from regulators and Rite Aid shareholders — Donald will continue in this role and work alongside the rest of the combined company’s leadership team.
Donald replaces Wayne Denningham, who retired earlier this year.
Jim Donald has been appointed president and COO of Albertsons Companies, effective immediately. Donald previously held senior leadership roles at both Albertson’s and Safeway, Inc. He also served as a member of the board of directors of Rite Aid from 2008 to 2013.
Most recently, Donald served as CEO of Extended Stay America, from 2012 to 2015. From 2009 to 2011, he served as president and CEO of food and pharmacy retailer Haggen. Prior to that, he spent six years at Starbucks, working his way up from president of its North America Division to president and CEO of Starbucks Corporation.
Earlier in his career, Donald led Pathmark Stores, and held a variety of senior management positions with Albertson’s, Safeway, and Walmart.
“Having first worked at Albertsons 42 years ago, I have watched as an insider and from afar how their keen focus on customer service maintained a solid foundation for their team through the years,” Donald said. Their acquisitive nature combined with their recent innovation efforts and strong Own Brands portfolio have helped them to build an even stronger company today. I look forward to being a part of the team that takes this great company into the future and continues to serve the food, health, and wellness needs of today’s busy customers.”
As president and COO, Donald will have responsibility for the operations of the retailer’s portfolio of more than 2,300 stores and help with the acceleration of the company’s growing omnichannel platform. Following the close of the recently announced merger with Rite Aid — which still awaits approval from regulators and Rite Aid shareholders — Donald will continue in this role and work alongside the rest of the combined company’s leadership team.
Donald replaces Wayne Denningham, who retired earlier this year.