Save-A-Lot names former Lidl executive as new CEO

Former Lidl executive Kenneth McGrath has been tapped to lead Earth City, Mo.-based Save-A-Lot as its new CEO, effective April 21. McGrath will be taking over from Eric Claus, Save-A-Lot’s current CEO, whose departure the retailer and its controlling shareholder, Onex, described as a mutually agreed upon parting of the ways.

An experienced leader in the discount grocery sector, McGrath spent 13 years with Lidl in executive roles, including serving as CEO of Lidl USA from 2013 to 2015 and as CEO of Lidl’s Ireland division from 2009 to 2013.

During his tenure as CEO of Lidl Ireland, McGrath oversaw a period of exceptional customer and revenue growth while also maintaining a cost leadership position within the retailer’s global operations. McGrath was then named to spearhead Lidl’s market entry into the United States before leaving to become CEO of the Caribbean and Central America region at wireless telecommunications firm Digicel, where he had responsibility for 26 markets constituting $2 billion in annual sales.

“We are thrilled that Kenneth has chosen to lead Save-A-Lot as we chart a new course for the company after its separation from Supervalu,” said Matthew Ross, chairman of Save-A-Lot’s governing board and managing director of Toronto-based Onex. “Kenneth is a strong executive that brings to Save-A-Lot tremendous experience in hard-discount retailing.”