MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Target is bringing a renewed focus to its grocery operations, with some retail veterans to lead the way. Adding experience from established brands like Walmart and General Mills, Target has brought over Mark Kenny and Liz Nordlie to serve as Vice Presidents for two of its food divisions.
"We have been making positive progress with our assortment, presentation and operations in food and beverage this year," said Mark Tritton, Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, Target, in a statement according to Fortune.
Mark Kenny is joining the Target team as its new Vice President of Meat and Fresh Prepared Food, according to Reuters. Previously, Kenny served as Senior Director Private Brand, Deli and Bakery for Walmart. According to his LinkedIn, Kenny broke into his buy-side career in 2007, working for Sam’s Club and moving up through the ranks to land as Senior Merchandise Director Frozen Food before moving to Walmart.
Liz Nordlie will now serve as Target’s Vice President of Product Design and Development for Food and Beverage. Nordlie formerly served as the President of Baking Division at General Mills, holding a variety of leadership positions with the company since 1995.
The two new hires will help the company "go even further, faster, delivering both an experience and assortment that’s uniquely Target," Tritton added. Fortune noted that these two new hires will help Target improve its prepared foods, as well as its brands.
Target recently made headlines after boosting its second-quarter earnings forecast, signifying that the chain may be on the upswing. The store cited improved traffic and sales amongst its stores, but analysts put an emphasis on the chain’s need to invest in its grocery business; an investment that Target looks to be delivering on.
In this same vein, Target brought on Jeff Burt earlier this year as Senior Vice President of Grocery, Fresh Food & Beverage. Burt came to the retailer with 30 years of experience from Kroger, including time spent as President of its Fred Meyer division.
Is this the start of a consistent trend for Target and its new focus on uplifting fresh? AndNowUKnow will report.
