Iselin, New Jersey-based Allegiance Retail Services (ARS), a retailer-owned grocery co-op, has appointed Michael Conese as VP of perishable merchandising, effective Sept. 11.
In this role, Conese will oversee and direct all fresh department activities supporting the cooperative, including meat, produce, deli, seafood, bakery and meal solutions. He will report to Samer Rahman, chief merchandising officer.
In a related move, Dean Holmquist, former VP of perishable merchandising, has been appointed VP of store operations. The company said the move will facilitate the increase in store network expected to be onboarded by spring. Holmquist has been associated with ARS/Foodtown, for more than 35 years.
“Mike’s extensive merchandising experience will benefit both the existing membership and position Allegiance to seamlessly transition the accelerated store growth, which will be realized over the next two-quarters,” said John T. Derderian, president and chief operating officer.
ARS supports independent supermarkets (e.g., Foodtown, Freshtown, D’Agostino, Gristedes, Morton Williams, Pathmark, LaBella Marketplace, Brooklyn Harvest, Market Fresh, Big Deal Food Market, Green Way Markets and Shop n Bag) by providing marketing, advertising, technological and merchandising support, as well as a full line of private label products, including Foodtown, Green Way and Rancher’s Legend.
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