CINCINNATI, OH - After 44 years with the Kroger Co., Senior Vice President for Retail Operations and Strategic Initiatives Marnette Perry has announced her intent to retire on April 29th of this year.
Perry has been a key contribution to the retailer over the years, having helped establish Kroger's now-ubiquitous Natural Foods centers and Floral departments in the early 1980s. Now the company is one of the top sellers of natural and organic foods, as well as one of the world's largest florists.
"Marnette's story is one we can all be proud of: she joined Kroger for a job as a part-time cashier while in college, and stayed for a remarkable career that spanned operations, merchandising, and executive leadership," Rodney McMullen, Chairman and CEO of Kroger, said in a press release. "Marnette's significant contributions will leave an indelible mark on Kroger.”
McMullen added that the entire Kroger family thanks her for those years of service, wishing her and her family all the best in retirement. Her successor, the company stated, will be named at a later date.
Since joining on in that part-time front-of-the-store position in 1972, Perry has gone on to serve the chain in a number of leadership positions, increasing her responsibilities and influence. A few of the roles she has been include:
- Director of Produce Merchandising and Procurement
- President of the Michigan division
- President of the Columbus division
- Group Vice President of Perishables
- Senior Vice President of Retail Divisions, responsible for eight supermarket operating divisions and more than $40 billion in annual revenue
More recently, as VP of operations, Perry was integral in heading the team that led to Kroger's QueVision technology, a system that it says has dramatically reduced time consumers spend waiting at checkout.
She has been in her most current role since 2012, as well as serving as on the Board of Directors of Kroger Personal Finance and The Kroger Co. Foundation. Perry is also a past board member of the Network of Executive Women.
We wish Ms. Perry luck in this newest chapter of her life.
