Spartan Stores Taps Former A&P Regional CEO
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Midwest retailer and distributor Spartan Stores Inc. on Monday announced the appointment of Craig C. Sturken, a former CEO of Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company's Midwest and Atlantic regions, as president and CEO effective today. Sturken brings more than 40 years of retail grocery and wholesale experience to Spartan Stores.
As CEO of A&P's Atlantic region, Sturken led the effort to return the 370-store, 35,000-employee retail operation to sales growth and profitability. He is credited as leading a significant turnaround of the region's revenues and profits. Sturken also served eight years as CEO of the Detroit, Mich.-based Midwest region, which includes 130 retail stores and 15,000 employees under the Farmer Jack, Food Emporium and Kohl's supermarket banners. In his regional CEO positions, he was instrumental in developing and implementing market-specific retail strategies, including innovative category management techniques that significantly improved both sales and profit growths, and the company's competitive market positions.
Prior to A&P, Sturken held executive positions with The Grand Union Company and Hannaford Brother's Company.
"We are delighted to have Craig join Spartan Stores as the new president and CEO," said James B. Meyer, chairman and former president and CEO. "He has a thorough understanding of retail grocery and distribution operations, and has great insight of our geographic markets. I am confident that Craig will provide the leadership and vision necessary to ensure our future success as a leading regional retail grocer and distributor," Meyer said.
Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spartan Stores owns and operates 94 supermarkets and 21 deep-discount drug stores in Michigan and Ohio, including Ashcraft's Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Food Town, Glen's Markets, Great Day Food Centers, Madison Family Market, Prevo's Family Markets and The Pharm. The company also distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to more than 330 independent grocery stores and serves as a wholesale distributor to 6,600 convenience stores.
As CEO of A&P's Atlantic region, Sturken led the effort to return the 370-store, 35,000-employee retail operation to sales growth and profitability. He is credited as leading a significant turnaround of the region's revenues and profits. Sturken also served eight years as CEO of the Detroit, Mich.-based Midwest region, which includes 130 retail stores and 15,000 employees under the Farmer Jack, Food Emporium and Kohl's supermarket banners. In his regional CEO positions, he was instrumental in developing and implementing market-specific retail strategies, including innovative category management techniques that significantly improved both sales and profit growths, and the company's competitive market positions.
Prior to A&P, Sturken held executive positions with The Grand Union Company and Hannaford Brother's Company.
"We are delighted to have Craig join Spartan Stores as the new president and CEO," said James B. Meyer, chairman and former president and CEO. "He has a thorough understanding of retail grocery and distribution operations, and has great insight of our geographic markets. I am confident that Craig will provide the leadership and vision necessary to ensure our future success as a leading regional retail grocer and distributor," Meyer said.
Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spartan Stores owns and operates 94 supermarkets and 21 deep-discount drug stores in Michigan and Ohio, including Ashcraft's Markets, Family Fare Supermarkets, Food Town, Glen's Markets, Great Day Food Centers, Madison Family Market, Prevo's Family Markets and The Pharm. The company also distributes more than 40,000 private-label and national brand products to more than 330 independent grocery stores and serves as a wholesale distributor to 6,600 convenience stores.