Wholesalers

Photo: Fred Morganthall has been named senior VP of retail divisions for The Kroger Co.

Minneapolis – Net earnings at Supervalu Inc. fell 14% to $36 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014 from $42 million in the identical period a year earlier. Higher selling and administrative expenses, including store closure and benefit costs, helped reduce profits.

Weis Markets Inc. is losing one of its longest serving executives after the company announced that the chairman of the board is stepping down.

Robert F. Weis will not stand for re-election to its board of directors at the company's annual meeting of shareholders on April 23, the company said.

"We are deeply indebted to Robert for his 69 years of leadership and tireless dedication to our company," said Harold G. Graber, Jr., a director and secretary of the company.

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.

Mahwah, N.J. - Inserra Supermarkets has named Ron Onorato as its new president and COO. Onorato takes over the role as Steve Chalas retires from the Inserra after a more than 50-year career.

Onorato brings more than 35 years of industry experience to his new role at Inserra. Previously, Onorato served as the senior VP of operational initiatives of Ahold USA, and as the president of the New York division of Stop & Shop.

Inserra Supermarkets owns and operates 21 ShopRite supermarkets in New Jersey and New York.
 

Grocery distributor and retailer SpartanNash is looking to a former Walgreens executive to help drive growth.

Derek Jones, currently SpartanNash’s EVP, food distribution, has been promoted to president, wholesale and distribution operations. He will oversee the entire supply chain, including military supply chain operations.

New York -- Grocery distributor and retailer SpartanNash has promoted Dave Staples, current executive VP and CFO, to COO. Staples will oversee all three operating segments of the company: retail, wholesale and military distribution. He will continue to serve as CFO until his replacement is hired.

Staples joined SpartanNash in January 2000, serving as the company’s executive VP and CFO since November of 2000

New York -- Supermarket operator Bi-Lo Holdings LLC, parent of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie chains, said that Randall Onstead will step as president and CEO, effective March 1. The company has identified a successor, who will be named at a later date.

Onstead has been with Bi-Lo, and its parent company Lone Star Holdings, since 2008 when he was named chairman of Bi-Lo, which was then a standalone supermarket company. Under his tenure, the company went though and successfully emerged from Chapter 11 protection after which it went on to flourish and expand.