CINCINNATI, OH - Retail veteran and CEO of Kroger’s recently-acquired Roundy’s, Bob Mariano, has announced that he will be retiring after almost 50 years in the business.
Mariano, now 66, entered the grocery industry at the ground level in 1967, starting out as a part-time deli clerk in Chicago’s Dominick's supermarket when he was a teenager. Since then he has worked his way up through a number of roles, including Senior Vice President and, in 1995, President and CEO of Dominick's.
In his leadership role, Mariano saw Dominick’s through a series of growth and transitions, including its 1996 initial public offering and its 1998 acquisition by Safeway.
In 2002, Mariano stepped into his current leadership role with Roundy’s, and oversaw the debut and growth of the 34-store Mariano chain.
"Bob has been a tremendous leader for Roundy's and the entire supermarket industry,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's Chairman and CEO, according to a press release. “The centerpiece of his career, of course, is the Mariano's chain of stores in his hometown of Chicago. We see a bright future ahead for our Pick 'N Save and Metro Market stores in Wisconsin and for Mariano's stores in Chicago. And we look forward to our continued partnership with Bob as a strategic consultant and advisor. The entire Kroger and Roundy's family extends our best wishes to Bob and his family in retirement."
Kroger added that the current Mariano’s President, Don Rosanova, and Roundy's Supermarkets Wisconsin President, Michael Marx, will continue to serve in their current roles leading the two supermarket divisions.
Congratulations to Mr. Mariano on a successful career.
