Dive Brief:
- Save A Lot CEO Leon Bergmann stepped down from the top role at the discounter on Oct. 31, a spokesperson told Grocery Dive in an email Tuesday.
- Bergmann’s resignation stems from a personal decision to “relocate back to California and dedicate more time to his family,” the company noted in a statement.
- Fred Boehler, a board member for the discounter, is serving as interim CEO as the company’s board of directors starts a process to find Bergmann’s successor.
Dive Insight:
Bergmann left Save A Lot after serving as its CEO for just a year and a half. When Save A Lot brought on Bergmann in March 2022, the discounter highlighted his more than 20 years of experience in the wholesale and grocery industries, which included serving as CEO of Sherwood Food Distributors and president of Supervalu’s western division.
Bergmann joined the discounter right after it completed its transition to a wholesale model. During his tenure, Save A Lot launched a new savings program called Shop the Dot, finished transferring ownership of all of its stores to independent licensees and released its inaugural Environmental, Social and Governance report.
In a recent interview, Bergmann said he has focused Save A Lot on helping retailers that carry its name offer low prices and pivoting from a previous effort by the company to build its brand through a flashy advertising campaign.
Prior to Bergmann’s hire, Craig Herkert served as interim CEO starting in summer 2021 following the departure of Kenneth McGrath, who had been CEO since 2017.
Save A Lot said Boehler, its interim CEO, brings over 30 years of experience in the industry, including serving as president and CEO of Americold Logistics for roughly six years. Americold fired Boehler “without cause” in late 2021 after nearly six years with the company.
Boehler has served on Save A Lot’s board since August 2021, according to his LinkedIn profile.
