The Save Mart Companies announces new executive chairman

The Save Mart Companies and Kingswood Capital Management, LP announced today that Shane Sampson has been named executive chairman of the California-based, regional grocery retailer.

Sampson most recently served as the chief marketing and merchandising officer at Albertsons Companies, overseeing development of digital strategies, private brands and customer and associate engagement. He was recognized as Mass Market Retailer's Merchant of the Year in 2017 and received the Retail TouchPoints' 2018 Innovator Award. 

The Save Mart Companies was acquired by Kingswood Capital Management LP, an operationally focused private-equity firm based in Los Angeles, late last month. The grocer recently announced the expansion of its private label offerings with a wide selection of new private brands.

"The Save Mart Companies team has built a wonderful operation in the Central Valley of California throughout their 70 years of serving their customers and communities," said Sampson. "The family and leadership team have done a tremendous job in establishing and perpetuating a commitment to innovation and service, and I think there is an exceptional opportunity to invest in and grow The Save Mart Companies' brands. I'm excited to join the company at such a pivotal time for the Save Mart, FoodMaxx, and Lucky California stores. I'm looking forward to leading the team into the next phase of growth and innovation and beyond."

Based in Modesto, Calif., The Save Mart Companies operates about 200 Save Mart, Lucky California and FoodMaxx stores in California and Nevada. The company employs roughly 14,000 people.

"We are thrilled to have Shane on the team," said Alex Wolf, a partner of Kingswood. "His retail acumen is unparalleled, and he has driven results across all the companies he's been a part of leading. We're looking forward to leveraging his significant retail experience into The Save Mart Companies' operations."