Mariano’s leadership has confirmed to reporters that Kroger is planning to consolidate its assets into a single Wisconsin-based division, uniting Mariano’s, Roundy’s, and its various banners—including Pick ’n Save—under one leadership team led by longtime Kroger executive and current head of Roundy’s Michael Marx.
According to a report by the Chicago Tribune, a memo was sent to Mariano’s employees last Thursday detailing plans to consolidate Mariano’s and Roundy’s Wisconsin assets under a single leadership team and the name “Roundy’s.”
“Mariano’s will continue to be operated as a unique brand and experience…In summary, what is changing is in the back office and in places customers can’t see and won’t experience, in order to continue to provide the experience our customers know and love,” said Jim Hyland, VP Communications & Public Affairs for Roundy’s, in an email reported on by the Tribune.
Several senior executives—including Mariano’s President Don Rosanova and VP of Merchandising Don Fitzgerald—will depart. Rosanova will retire at the end of the month, and Fitzgerald, along with John Boyle, Roundy’s VP of Operations, will continue on in an advisory capacity until January.
The consolidation is, according to the news source, part of Kroger’s ongoing efforts to cut costs while also making capital investments to improve in-store experience.
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