Efird joins Fred's as president

MEMPHIS, Tenn. Fred's Inc. today announced that the company has named Bruce Efird president, succeeding John Reier, who becomes vice chairman of the board of directors. Efird will join the company on Sept. 22.

Efird most recently served as evp of merchandising for Meijer Inc., a leading supercenter retailer in the Midwest with more than $13 billion in sales. There he was responsible for all merchandising functions, including softlines, home furnishings, drug store, general merchandise, groceries and perishables. He also was in charge of marketing and advertising functions as well as pricing and e-commerce for the chain's 179 stores across a five-state area. Prior to that, Efird was evp and general manager for Bruno's Supermarkets Inc. in Birmingham, Ala.