A new Kroger Marketplace on Mall Boulevard in Florence Square in Savannah opened today, marking the largest Kroger store in Georgia and the Southeast.
The more than 125,000-s.f. store brings 267 new jobs to the community and offers shoppers more than 97,000 s.f. of merchandise. It is the first Marketplace store in Savannah. Prior to the Savannah store opening today, the Kroger Marketplace in Gainesville, Ga., was the largest Kroger in the state as well as the Southeast. The Gainesville store opened in mid-March.
“Kroger has served the Savannah area for more than 37 years,” says Glynn Jenkins, director of communications and public relations for Kroger’s Atlanta Division. “We are incredibly excited to bring this amazing store to the community and provide our customers with an even better shopping experience.”
Kroger Marketplace aims to be a one-stop destination for home fashion and décor, bed and bath, kitchen and small appliances, home office and toys—in addition to traditional fresh food and groceries. The store also includes an apparel department, offering name brand products like Levi’s and Skechers. The new store features a Nature’s Market with vitamin shop, deli, Fred Meyer Jewelers, drive-thru pharmacy, fuel center, expanded kosher selections, floral shop, Starbucks, Baby World and Murray’s Cheese.
Savannah native and longtime Kroger employee David Pelfrey is unit manager for the Savannah store. Pelfrey began his career with Kroger in 1984 at the original Mall Boulevard location and eventually moved on to serve in multiple leadership positions for Kroger in other communities before returning to Savannah to lead the Kroger Marketplace.
“After 30 years of service to Kroger, I am truly overwhelmed by the excitement expressed from the Savannah community,” he says. “We are proud to open this new location.”
To celebrate the new opening, Kroger presented Susan G. Komen for the Cure Coastal Georgia with a check for more than $63,500; $20,000 was raised during the annual “Giving Hope a Hand” event, and the remaining funds were donated by Kroger customers at checkout.
In addition, Kroger donated a $250 gift card to neighboring schools, including STEM Academy at Bartlett, Heard Elementary School, Jenkins High School, J.G. Smith Elementary School, Calvary Baptist Day School, Memorial Day School and Oglethorpe Charter School.
Kroger SVP Pete Williams to retire
In other Kroger news, SVP Robert “Pete” Williams plans to retire next month after 37 years with the company. His replacement will be named later.
Upon graduating from the University of Mississippi, Williams began his Kroger career in 1977 as a management trainee in Memphis, Tenn., in the company’s Delta division. Beginning in 1978 he held a variety of human resources leadership roles, working his way up to serve as director of labor relations at the company’s general office in 1987. He moved back to Atlanta three years later, where he spent the next several years serving as VP of operations and VP of merchandising, before being promoted to president of Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic division in 1998. Williams has served in his current role, leading seven supermarket divisions, since 2007.
“Throughout his extraordinary career, Pete’s leadership has reflected his passion for our associates, customers and local communities. He has been a tremendous asset to our company and will be missed,” said Mike Ellis, Kroger’s president and COO. “Whether developing associates and fostering career paths for many people within the company, or influencing Kroger to improve the customer experience, Pete led with a contagious enthusiasm and steady presence. We thank Pete for his many years of dedicated service and wish him and his wife, Jennifer, the very best in retirement.”
