Another industry vet bids Kroger adieu

After 44 years with Kroger, Smith’s division president Jay Cummins announced plans to retire.



Cummins joined the company in 1972 as a clerk. His retirement will take effect April 29, the company said. A replacement to lead the 139 unit Salt Lake City-based division was not immediately named.



"Jay has always led with enthusiasm and passion for our people and teams. It shows in the great pride he takes in the accomplishments of associates, especially when they go above and beyond for our customers," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "We are thankful for Jay's service to Smith's and Kroger, and to our local communities where he has always demonstrated a personal commitment to making a difference for others.”



Cummins began his Kroger career as a clerk in 1972 in Huntington Beach, California. In the following years, he served in positions of increasing responsibility in store and district management and in grocery merchandising for the company's Food 4 Less division. In 2002, Cummins was named VP and general manager of the Food 4 Less Midwest division, where he led the expansion of the Food 4 Less price impact warehouse store format in the Chicago area. In 2004, he was named president of the Food 4 Less division, which operates stores in California, Illinois and Indiana. Cummins was named president of the Mid-Atlantic division in 2007 before assuming his current role in 2014.