Former Safeway Exec to Guide A&P's Private Label Development

MONTVALE, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc. here said Friday that Douglas Palmer, Safeway's former v.p. of consumer brands and one of the orchestrators of the successful "O" line of store brand organics, had joined it as v.p. of own brands.

Palmer will report directly to s.v.p. of merchandising and supply & logistics Rebecca Philbert, who also earlier joined the Northeast retailer from Safeway.

At Safeway, Palmer oversaw the development of the company's brand rationalization and consolidation initiative, the redesign of its store-brand labeling, and the introduction of its corporate organic products brand. During his tenure, Safeway's Consumer Brands program received many packaging and product awards for its 'O' Organics, Safeway Select, and Eating Right product lines, said A&P.

An industry veteran with over 20 years of corporate brands experience, Palmer previously served with Ahold USA, Daymon Worldwide, Meijer, and Farm Fresh.

"From past experience, I know that he will elevate our own brands development and execution to best-in-class levels, aligned with our exciting store format, merchandising, and marketing initiatives," noted Philbert in a statement.

Before joining A&P last December, Philbert was corporate v.p. at Safeway and senior lead of its "Lifestyle" store format.

A&P operates 406 stores in nine states and the District of Columbia under the A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh, Farmer Jack, Sav-A-Center and Food Basics banners.
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