GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Effective February 18, 2019, SpartanNash will have a new Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer (CMMO). The company announced that it has hired former Albertsons Division President Lori Raya to assume the role of CMMO.

Raya brings thirty-one years of experience in the grocery business to the new role. According to SpartanNash’s press release, Raya’s accomplished career extends over 30 years with Safeway, moving through the ranks from a store associate to store manager, district manager, Vice President of Retail Operations, Group Vice President of Strategic Initiatives, and multiple food category senior management positions. Raya served as the first female divisional president in VON’s 107-year history from 2012-2015 and, most recently, occupied the role of Division President of Albertsons from 2015-2018.

“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,” noted President and Chief Executive Officer David M. Staples, to whom Raya will report in her new role. “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.”

In her new role as SpartanNash’s CMMO, Raya will be responsible for the development and execution of the enterprise-wide merchandising and marketing strategy, ensuring alignment with the enterprise's overall business strategy, and providing strategic direction to develop, analyze, and implement product assortment, brand positioning, sales planning, pricing, promotion, sourcing, and distribution for independent customers and corporate owned stores.

Raya will direct in-depth research and analysis of consumer trends and sales performance and attempt to drive innovation to enhance the customer experience in-store and online. Raya will also be responsible for increasing sales and market share, improving productivity and profitability, and cultivating an engaged, customer-centric work force.

In the CMMO role, Raya will succeed Larry Pierce who will retire this September. Pierce joined the company in 2008 and has served as Executive Vice President, Merchandising and Marketing, since 2014.

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

According to the company Pierce will transition his CMMO duties over to Raya, focusing on special projects until his retirement this summer.

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SpartanNash