Save Mart Supermarkets

Some of the retail industry’s most innovative, influential and accomplished leaders passed away in 2015. The following is a look at some of those who made a difference and the impact they had on retail.

The following list is by no means exhaustive or intended in any way rank those who passed based on their accomplishments. Rather, the goal is to present in chronological order some of the most noteworthy individuals whose departure came to the attention of Retailing Today and recognize their accomplishments one more time.

Supermarket anchors offer wide range of products and services

Grocery retailers have always served as ideal shopping center anchors, as they guarantee extra foot traffic by providing consumers with their daily needs.

The Modesto, Ca.-based Save Mart chain of 217 supermarkets has embarked on a major rebranding effort in the Bay Area where a new 61,000-sq.-ft. protoype bears a reimagined Lucky California banner.

Save Mart Supermarkets is revving up its marketing efforts with a multi-year agreement to co- sponsor the annual NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Sonoma Raceway.

Save Mart Supermarkets’ status as either title or co-title sponsor of the annual Cup event in Sonoma is one of the longest runs in all of NASCAR Cup racing. The new agreement is for five years, extending through 2020. First partnering with the raceway in 1992, Save Mart will celebrate its 25thanniversary as a race sponsor in Sonoma in 2016.

Modesto, Calif. - Save Mart Supermarkets has chosen NCR and Inmar Digital Promotions Network, a subsidiary of Inmar, to help drive customer loyalty online, mobile and in-store. NCR cloud and marketing retail solutions, combined with Inmar’s targeted digital coupon content and services, will allow Save Mart to manage promotions and loyalty programs while introducing digital coupons that are accessible via multiple sales channels.

Robert “Bob” Piccinini, the longtime chairman of Save Mart Supermarkets, has died. He was 73.

In a statement, the company said that Bob was most passionate about two things: his family and his company. He purchased Save Mart from the Piccinini and Tocco families in 1985 after working his way up through the ranks as a box boy, truck driver, store manager, vice president of real estate and on to president and CEO.

Modesto, Calif. -- Lucky and Save Mart announced the launch of a rewards program driven by an integrated smartphone platform targeted to fit into the busy lifestyle of today’s shopper.

Named appropriately for each banner, Save Mart shoppers can start using the “Save Smart” program starting March 4 at stores throughout Sacramento, the Central Valley and Reno. “Lucky You” will launch in Bay Area Lucky stores on March 18.