CEO of specialty grocer resigns

The Fresh Market's chief executive has resigned after less than two years on the job.



The Fresh Market announced that Rick Anicetti has resigned as CEO and board member. No reason was given for his departure. Anicetti took the reins of the specialty grocer in September 2015, bringing more than 30 years of experience across a variety of retail functions at Hannaford Brothers Company and Food Lion, where he served as president and CEO.



Fresh Market CFO Brian Nicholson has been appointed as interim CEO, effective immediately. Nicholson has served as the company’s senior VP and CFO since returning to The Fresh Market in September 2016. From 2004 to 2012, he held a variety of positions for the retailer, including serving as VP in the business strategy, financial planning and analysis function from 2005 to 2012.



In April 2016, The Fresh Market was acquired by private equity firm Apollo Global Management for approximately $1.4 billion. The supermarket retailer currently operates 176 stores in 24 states across the U.S.