Supervalu names Eric Claus CEO of Save-A-Lot
Minneapolis-based Supervalu Inc. said it named Eric Claus CEO of St. Louis-based Save-A-Lot, the company’s hard-discount grocery segment. Claus joins the company after spending the past two years as the chairman, president and CEO of Red Apple Stores Inc., a chain of value retail stores, in Canada. Claus is expected to start in his role with Save-A-Lot on or before Jan. 4, 2016.
Supervalu also said that, effective with the start of Claus’ employment with the company, Ritchie Casteel will serve as president of Save-A-Lot, reporting to Claus, and will continue to oversee day-to-day store operations while working closely with Claus on Save-A-Lot’s market development, store growth plans and preparation for the possible spin-off of Save-A-Lot.
Claus has more than 30 years of experience in the retail industry and deep experience in both hard discount and grocery retail, Supervalu said. He served as CEO of Co-Op Atlantic; president and CEO of the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P), first in the Canadian division and then overseeing the U.S. operations; and as an advisor to private equity firms on the retail and consumable goods industry. Since July 2013, he has served as chairman, president and CEO of Red Apple Stores Inc., where he restructured and transformed the now 155-store value-oriented clothing, general merchandise and food chain.
“I’m very pleased that Eric is joining our Supervalu team to serve as CEO of Save-A-Lot,” said Sam Duncan, president and CEO, Supervalu. “He has a great background in food retailing, and is a smart and charismatic leader. His strengths in and experience with the hard discount format, as well as his history leading retail companies, will be important as we look to finish our fiscal year strong and as we continue to position Save-A-Lot for the future.”
Save-A-Lot has approximately 9,300 employees nationwide supporting its 1,342 stores, of which 901 are operated by licensee owners. The business also operates 17 distribution centers across the country to support its existing stores and future store growth, Supervalu said.