Giordano to Lead Ralphs

Donna Giordano has been promoted to president of the Kroger Co’s Ralphs Division.

Giordano, 57, has been president of the company’s Seattle-based Quality Food Centers division since 2002. She succeeds Mike Donnelly, who was recently promoted to Kroger’s senior vice president of merchandising.

“Donna is an engaging and strategic leader who has earned the respect of our associates,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger president and COO. “Donna’s extensive experience and focus on connecting with customers has contributed to the success of QFC. She has passion and gets the job done. We are excited that she accepted this new role to lead Ralphs.”

Giordano joined the company’s King Soopers banner in 1972 while still in college. She was named store manager at King Soopers in 1982, and later held various director-level positions in key areas, including advertising, bakery, general merchandise, grocery and pharmacy. In 1999, Giordano was promoted to VP of sales and marketing of King Soopers. She was promoted to president of QFC in 2002.

“I am very excited about the opportunity to connect with Ralphs customers and associates,” Giordano said. “And I would like to thank the QFC team for their support and dedication to our customers in the Northwest. I look forward to working with our great Southern California team to deliver value and a superior shopping experience to our customers while creating more opportunities for associates.”

Ralphs Grocery Co. was founded in 1873 and currently operates 256 supermarkets from its headquarters in Los Angeles. Cincinnati-based Kroger operates 2,449 supermarkets and multidepartment stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry’s, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith’s.