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GRAND UNION CREATES EASTERN DIVISION

WAYNE, N.J. -- Grand Union Co. here said last week it has carved a new Eastern division out of its Southern division to better serve the New York metropolitan area. he Hudson River; two in New York City; and 14 in Connecticut.According to J. Wayne Harris, chairman and chief executive officer, "The structural change in the highly competitive New York metropolitan area, with its diverse customer demands,

WAYNE, N.J. -- Grand Union Co. here said last week it has carved a new Eastern division out of its Southern division to better serve the New York metropolitan area.

he Hudson River; two in New York City; and 14 in Connecticut.

According to J. Wayne Harris, chairman and chief executive officer, "The structural change in the highly competitive New York metropolitan area, with its diverse customer demands, helps the company to supervise our stores better in the distinct marketing areas served by each division."

Gary M. Philbin, president and chief merchandising officer, said the change also "increases management efficiency and allows more rapid response to individual store customer trends."

The Southern division will now include 54 stores, including locations in Orange and Rockland Counties, N.Y.; sections of Westchester County west of the Hudson River; Pennsylvania; and all of New Jersey.

Kenneth V. Thompson, a former district manager, has been named vice president of the new Eastern division. Mark O'Brien, a former store manager, has succeeded him as district manager.

In another change, James J. Santamarina, formerly director of Grand Union's M.A.S.T.E.R.S. store-renovation program, has been named vice president of the 124-store Northern division, which encompasses upstate New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. He succeeds Michael Marris, who died Nov. 6.

No successor has been named for Santamarina's former position.

James Wilson, vice president, continues to supervise the Southern division. Thompson, Santamarina and Wilson all report to Harris.