Carlisle, Pa.-based grocer The Giant Co. has named Rebecca Lupfer its senior vice president and chief merchant.
Lupfer will lead all aspects of merchandising for the company, as well as commercial planning and pricing, reporting directly to company President John Ruane, according to a news release.
“With nearly 20 years of retail grocery experience spanning nearly all areas of the business, Rebecca brings a tremendous amount of expertise to the table as well as an incredible passion for building strong teams that deliver results,” Ruane said. “With her strong knowledge of our business, team, and customers, I know The Giant Company will continue to be the grocery store of choice for customers and team members alike.”
Lupfer joined Ahold Financial Services in 2005 as a business analyst and held various positions of increasing responsibility before joining Ahold USA in 2016 as a portfolio lead for seasonal merchandising, according to the release. She joined The Giant Co. in 2018 as director of merchandising planning and held various positions over the next six years, including vice president of merchandising for center store, vice president of the company’s mid-Atlantic division and, most recently, chief financial officer.
Lupfer currently serves on the board of directors for the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and the Academy of Food Marketing and The Food Marketing Educational Foundation at Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. In addition, she serves as the executive sponsor of the company’s women’s business resource group.
Lupfer has received numerous industry and community awards throughout her career, including being a two-time winner of Progressive Grocer’s Top Women in Grocery Award, a 40 Under 40 Award Winner by the Central Penn Business Journal, a City & State PA Above and Beyond Award, a Woman of Excellence by the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg, and was honored by Mass Market Retailers as Person Who Made a Difference, according to the release.
She earned an MBA from Lebanon Valley College and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Pennsylvania State University.
