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Save A Lot names Leon Bergmann as new CEO

Grocery wholesale veteran to take over from interim chief Craig Herkert

Russell Redman

February 2, 2022

4 Min Read
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Leon Bergmann's appointment as CEO comes amid Save A Lot's transition from a retail to a wholesale business model.Save A Lot

Discount grocer Save A Lot has tapped Leon Bergmann, a longtime grocery wholesale executive, to become its next chief executive officer.

St. Louis-based Save A Lot said Wednesday that Bergmann is slated to take the helm as CEO in March. The move comes nearly four months after Save A Lot confirmed the appointment of Craig Herkert as interim chief executive, upon the exit of CEO Kenneth McGrath, and over year after announcing plans to migrate to a wholesale business model.

Bergmann comes to Save A Lot from Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors, where he has served as CEO of the Detroit-based grocery, bakery, deli, meat and seafood wholesaler since July 2018.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to lead a tremendous brand like Save A Lot and to work closely with the amazing team of retail partners that are so dedicated to delivering quality and value to its customers,” Bergmann said in a statement. “The Save A Lot model is well-positioned to capitalize in industry trends and meet the needs of consumers. I look forward to working with my colleagues at all levels to build on our legacy as the industry’s leading hometown grocer.”

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Bergmann (left) brings over 20 years of experience in the grocery and distribution industries. As CEO at Harvest Sherwood, he executed a comprehensive growth strategy for one of the nation’s largest food wholesalers, Save A Lot noted.

Related:Save A Lot sells 33 stores to investor group led by ex-Fresh Thyme CEO

Before that, Bergmann served as western region president at Supervalu (now part of United Natural Foods Inc.) for a year, following the company’s acquisition of fellow distributor Unified Grocers, where he served in executive vice president and senior vice president roles in sales, procurement and logistics. Bergmann also was president of independent business and group vice president of independent sales, marketing and merchandising in an earlier stint at Supervalu. Previously, he spent almost six years at C&S Wholesale Grocers, most recently as senior vice president of sales and customer services for the Northeast.

“With more than two decades of industry experience, Leon combines deep industry expertise and a consistent track record of success at leading grocery brands and wholesale businesses that will be invaluable as we execute against our long-term growth strategy,” Save A Lot Chairman Justin Shaw commented. “His proven ability to meet the needs of associates, customers and vendors also makes him an ideal fit to lead the business and its strong network of Retail Partners across the country. We are excited to welcome Leon to the Save A Lot team and look forward to working alongside him and the management team as we pursue the strategic growth opportunities ahead.”

Related:Save A Lot taps ex-Supervalu chief Craig Herkert as interim CEO

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Herkert (left) is slated to stay at Save A Lot over the coming weeks to aid with the leadership transition before Bergmann assumes the CEO post next month. A onetime CEO of former Save A Lot parent Supervalu Inc., Herkert reported on his LinkedIn page that he became interim CEO of Save A Lot in August. A 30-year grocery retail veteran, Herkert also is a former Walmart, Albertsons and American Stores executive.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Craig Herkert for his leadership during the six months he served in the role as interim CEO,” Shaw stated, “and we wish him well in his future endeavors.”

In December 2020, Save A Lot unveiled plans to divest more than 300 corporate-operated stores to current and new retail partners and refocus on distribution and support services, including private label, for independent Save A Lot operators. At the time, the company had 14 distribution centers and more than 1,000 stores in 33 states, with the vast majority of the locations licensed by over 200 independent grocers. Save A Lot said it aims to retain 21 corporate-operated stores in St. Louis to serve as testing sites for retail partners. Most recently, the company said it sold 33 stores in metropolitan Orlando to independent grocery startup Ascend Grocery LLC.

Last July, Save A Lot announced a program to remodel a third of its store base in 2021 and upgrade the rest of the stores by 2024. Currently, the company has about 900 stores in 32 states.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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