Save Mart to focus on ‘farm field to plate’ and ‘great produce,’ says new executive chairman

The Save Mart Companies, recently acquired by Kingswood Capital Management, has named Shane Sampson executive chairman of the Modesto, Calif.-based, regional grocery retailer. 

Of the recent acquisition, Sampson told The Packer, “We will continue to build on what we do great — continue to be local and support produce. We’re in the best growing area in the nation. We’re based in Modesto and we’re operating in the Bay Area and the Central Valley — what great food, produce and meat — not to mention the vineyard exposure we have here. It’s a great place to be if you love the food business.”

Sampson is a fourth-generation grocer who brings nearly four decades of experience to The Save Mart Companies in building brands, implementing innovative marketing and merchandising programs, and leading strategic operations, said the company. 

“I grew up in grocery stores and started as a clerk. I know the most important thing is what’s happening out in the stores,” said Sampson.

Sampson’s experience includes serving as chief marketing and merchandising officer for Albertsons Cos. “He was instrumental in driving Albertsons’ merchandising strategy during a period of monumental growth during which he oversaw significant development and innovation of digital and e-commerce strategies, rapidly scaled its private label brands and built customer and associate engagement across 2,300 stores,” said Save Mart in a release. He was recognized as Mass Market Retailer’s Merchant of the Year in 2017 and received the Retail TouchPoints’ 2018 Innovator Award.  

Prior to his position at Albertsons, Sampson was also president of two separate Albertsons Divisions — Jewel-Osco and Shaws/Star Market. He also held leadership positions at Ahold’s Giant of Landover; Walmart’s Sam’s Club; and Schwazze, a Dye Capital portfolio company based in Denver, Colo. Most recently, Sampson held a leadership position at Jacksons Companies based in Meridian, Idaho, and served as a board member on their ExtraMile joint venture with Chevron.

“The Save Mart Companies team has built a wonderful operation in the Central Valley of California throughout their 70 years of serving their customers and communities,” Sampson said in a release. “The family and leadership team have done a tremendous job in establishing and perpetuating a commitment to innovation and service, and I think there is an exceptional opportunity to invest in and grow The Save Mart Companies’ brands. I’m excited to join the company at such a pivotal time for the Save Mart, FoodMaxx, and Lucky California stores. I’m looking forward to leading the team into the next phase of growth and innovation and beyond.” 

“We are thrilled to have Shane on the team,” Alex Wolf, a partner of Kingswood said in a release. “His retail acumen is unparalleled, and he has driven results across all the companies he’s been a part of leading. We’re looking forward to leveraging his significant retail experience into The Save Mart Companies’ operations.” 

“We’re very excited about [the Kingswood acquisition],” Sampson told The Packer. “We think this gives us a great platform for growth.”

The Save Mart Companies, a Kingswood Capital Management, LP portfolio company and a California- based grocer, operates approximately 200 Save Mart, Lucky California, and FoodMaxx stores in the California Central Valley and Northern Nevada.