Sprouts hires Kroger store brands leader as marketing chief
Sprouts Family Market has chosen Kroger’s former head of Our Brands to run its private label program and marketing. Gilliam "Gil" Phipps has been named Sprouts' chief marketing officer, joining the company from his role as Kroger's vice president of branding, marketing and Our Brands.
Phipps originally joined Kroger vice president of Our Brands in 2012. He also spent 11 years with H-E-B as its director of private brands, branding, innovation, product development, packaging and design, making Phipps a highly decorated executive in store brands.
Phipps, whose title also includes senior vice president, will report to Sprouts CEOJack Sinclair and will oversee Sprouts’ marketing, advertising, customer engagement and private label, according to the company.
“We’re extremely pleased to welcome Gil to the Sprouts team,” Sinclair said. “The experience Gil brings will be instrumental in shaping Sprouts’ long-term strategy to build brand awareness and loyalty with our core shopper, including strengthening and defining our private label business.”
Sprouts Farmers Market, based in Phoenix, focuses on healthy, natural products and operates 340 stores in 23 states. The retailer recently announced it would be expanding its private brand program, during a strong fourth-quarter report, where it also announced the addition of former Trader Joe’s president Doug Rauch to its board. Rauch had a hand in sculpting Trader Joe’s private brand philosophy.