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ShopRite owner appoints Melissa Kenny as executive VP

Retail grocery veteran gets expanded role at Delaware Supermarkets

Russell Redman

January 10, 2020

2 Min Read
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Delaware Supermarkets Inc. owns and operates six ShopRite stores and is a member of the Wakefern Food Corp. co-op.Kenny Family Markets of Delaware

Melissa Kenny has been promoted to executive vice president at Delaware Supermarkets Inc., a Wilmington, Del.-based owner/operator of six ShopRite stores.

Also known as Kenny Family ShopRites of Delaware, the Wakefern Food Corp. member said Friday that Kenny, previous director of sales and marketing, will now have direct oversight of operations, finance, human resources, marketing and loss prevention. 

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In addition, Kenny (left) has taken over responsibilities as vice president of real estate at First State Plaza in Stanton, Del., the shopping center where one of the Kenny Family ShopRites is located.

Kenny, the daughter of Delaware Supermarkets founder and chairman Bernard Kenny, began in the new role on Jan. 1. Her brother Christopher Kenny is the company’s president and CEO.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to lead, grow and represent Kenny Family ShopRites," Melissa Kenny said in a statement. "I want to thank my family and all our associates for their commitment to making our stores a great place to shop and a vehicle of economic growth in the communities where our stores operate. I look forward to continuing our tradition of providing sustainable stores, fresh and healthy food options, and a great shopping experience for our customers."

Related:Saladworks expands in Wakefern supermarkets

With more than 20 years of industry experience, Kenny has trained in each of the departments in her family's stores and spent time in all management posts. The company noted that she has worked closely over the years with her brother Chris and father Bernie in learning every part of the supermarket business. Bernie Kenny, who launched Delaware Supermarkets in 1995, remains involved in day-to-day operations as well as community events.

Melissa Kenny also serves as chairwoman of the Kenny Family Foundation's board of directors. Since 2011, the foundation has donated more than $2.3 million to over 1,000 charitable groups in Delaware’s New Castle County with micro-grants and partnerships.

"Our entire company and family could not be more proud of Melissa's work and the role she has played in the success of our stores," commented Chris Kenny. "As a second-generation grocer, she understands our market, our customers and what our work means to the communities we serve. There could not be a better person to lead our company into the future."

Along with the store in Stanton, Kenny Family Markets owns and operates ShopRite supermarkets in Wilmington (two), Newark (two) and Bear, Del.

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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