ST. CLOUD, MN - With fresh offerings becoming an even bigger point of differentiation for retailers, it's no wonder retailer Coborn’s, Inc. has set out to enhance the category by placing new key leaders in strategic roles. Employee’s Emily Coborn, Mike Richter, and the previously announced Tom Williams have all been promoted to executive fresh positions.

Previously a District Manger for the company, Emily Coborn will now serve under the new role of Vice President of Fresh Merchandising. Reporting to Executive Vice President of Sales Greg Sandeno, Coborn will oversee Coborn’s produce, bakery, deli, and meat and Seafood departments, along with the company’s growing team of supermarket dietitians. 

In her former role of District Manager, Emily oversaw 10 stores across Minnesota. Other prior positions at the company include Director of Topco Program Management and Communications Manager. Joining Coborn’s in April 2011, Emily had worked for several years at Supervalu.

Director of Meat and Seafood Mike Richter has been promoted to Senior Director of Meat, Seafood, and Fresh Merchandising, where he will now oversee the entire department while serving as a valued mentor to other fresh merchandising leaders. He will reporting to new Fresh Merchandising VP Emily Coborn.

Over Richter’s 20 years with Coborn’s, the company says in a press release that he has distinguished himself as a visionary leader with a proven ability to bring retail programs to life. Prior to joining Coborn’s, Richter spent 15 years working for Fairway Foods as Meat, Deli, and Bakery Director.

As we’ve previously reported, Coborn’s announced Tom Williams as its new Director of Produce and Floral Merchandising. Williams will be in charge of developing and leading the implementation of produce and floral merchandising strategies for the company’s separate retail divisions, including Coborn’s, Cash Wise, Marketplace Foods and CobornsDelivers. Williams is tasked with achieving the company’s desired sales and gross profit results, as well as maximizing produce and floral distribution. 

In his most recent role, Williams served as Manager of Corporate Retail Produce and Floral at SpartanNash Company. Prior to that role, he spent 35 years in various leadership positions with Supervalu’s Northern Region, Brookshire Grocery Company, Cub Foods Corporate, H. Brooks and Company, and Upper Lakes Foods.

For more on the increasing importance of fresh produce in the retail landscape, keep following AndNowUKnow.

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