Sponsored By

SpartanNash tabs Lori Raya as merchandising and marketing chief

Former Albertsons executive to succeed retiring Larry Pierce

Russell Redman

February 7, 2019

2 Min Read
Supermarket News logo in a gray background | Supermarket News

Lori Raya is joining SpartanNash Co. as chief merchandising and marketing officer, taking over from Larry Pierce, who is retiring.

SpartanNash said late Wednesday that Raya is scheduled to start in the CMMO post on Feb. 18. She comes to the company from Albertsons Cos., where she most recently served as Albertsons division president.

Plans call for Pierce, executive vice president of merchandising and marketing at SpartanNash, to transition his duties to Raya and focus on special projects until his retirement in September.

Lori_Raya_SpartanNash_0.pngIn the CMMO role, Raya (left) will oversee SpartanNash’s merchandising and marketing and ensure its alignment with business strategy. She also will provide strategic direction to develop, analyze and implement product assortment, brand positioning, sales planning, pricing, promotion, sourcing and distribution for independent grocery customers and 160 corporate-owned supermarkets.

Additionally, Raya will direct in-depth research and analysis of consumer trends and sales performance and spur innovation to enhance the in-store and online customer experience. She will report to SpartanNash President and CEO David Staples.

Raya’s career at Safeway/Albertsons spanned 31 years. She was division president of Albertsons from 2015 to 2018 after holding the post of Vons division president from 2012 to 2015 — the first woman to serve as a division president in the grocery chain’s 107-year history. At Safeway, she started as a store associate and rose through the ranks to store manager, district manager, vice president of retail operations, group vice president of strategic initiatives, and various food category senior management positions.

Related:New CIO takes reins at SpartanNash

As Albertsons division president, Raya led the post-merger transition with Safeway and the integration of multiple banner teams. The merger, completed in January 2015, formed the nation’s second-largest supermarket retailer, with more than 2,200 stores and 250,000 employees.

“Lori’s success as a strategic thinker, collaborative influencer, change manager, community contributor and visionary leader has enabled her to lead marketing and merchandising teams to deliver innovative, customer-focused changes while driving sales and supporting associate development,” Staples said in a statement. “Her career path is also inspiring to all those who love this industry and want to help take the company to the next level. We look forward to having her onboard.”

Larry_Pierce_SpartanNash_0.pngFood and beverage industry veteran Pierce (left) joined SpartanNash in 2008 as vice president of center store merchandising. He was named executive vice president of merchandising and marketing on an interim basis in August 2013 before being appointed to the post full-time in July 2014.

Related:SpartanNash promotes center store executive

Prior to SpartanNash, Pierce served in a variety positions at Coca-Cola Enterprises, including as vice president of sales for the supermarket, mass and convenience channels.

“Larry’s leadership, knowledge of the wholesale and grocery industry, and commitment to innovation have been key to our success, and we appreciate his assistance throughout this transitional period,” said Staples.

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

Stay up-to-date on the latest food retail news and trends
Subscribe to free eNewsletters from Supermarket News

You May Also Like