Brian Cornell to Leave Safeway
PLEASANTON, Calif. - Brian Cornell, Safeway's e.v.p. and c.m.o., who grew the retailer's Lifestyle concept into a strategy for successful growth, will be leaving the company effective June 1 to pursue a lifestyle change of his own as he searches for a top leadership position at another company.
"Brian has contributed significantly to Safeway over the last three years and enhanced our ability to profitably build our sales," said Steve Burd, chairman, president, and c.e.o. "He came to Safeway at a time of transformation, and has played a key role in our success. His accomplishments include reorganizing and energizing our centralized marketing, merchandising, and supply chain functions to improve their effectiveness, enhancing our capability to develop and utilize consumer and shopper insights, and building our brand. We are fortunate that he has built an outstanding team that is very well prepared to continue to build on our current momentum."
Said Cornell: "I depart Safeway as a huge fan of the strategy, the brand and the organization. While I am ready to pursue the next step in my career, I believe that Safeway is very well positioned to continue to thrive and grow for years to come."
Upon Cornell's departure, and until a successor is named, the marketing organization will report directly to Burd.
Safeway operates 1,755 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006.
"Brian has contributed significantly to Safeway over the last three years and enhanced our ability to profitably build our sales," said Steve Burd, chairman, president, and c.e.o. "He came to Safeway at a time of transformation, and has played a key role in our success. His accomplishments include reorganizing and energizing our centralized marketing, merchandising, and supply chain functions to improve their effectiveness, enhancing our capability to develop and utilize consumer and shopper insights, and building our brand. We are fortunate that he has built an outstanding team that is very well prepared to continue to build on our current momentum."
Said Cornell: "I depart Safeway as a huge fan of the strategy, the brand and the organization. While I am ready to pursue the next step in my career, I believe that Safeway is very well positioned to continue to thrive and grow for years to come."
Upon Cornell's departure, and until a successor is named, the marketing organization will report directly to Burd.
Safeway operates 1,755 stores in the United States and Canada and had annual sales of $40.2 billion in 2006.