Apeel announced a newly created retail advisory board that brings together industry experts from the grocery industry.
Led by Apeel’s vice-president of retail advisory Jim Smits, the council will work with Apeel retailer partners to ensure that Apeel’s category management programs improve the changing landscape of the retail industry in the areas of fresh innovation, consumer engagement and supply chain optimization.
The council comes together at a time when Apeel’s supplier and retailer partnerships are rapidly expanding - most recently landing on grocery shelves throughout the United Kingdom. With 40 retail partners across North America and Europe carrying Apeel produce from more than 40 supplier partners across tens of thousands of stores around the world, more consumers will be able to access longer-lasting fresh produce including avocados, limes, lemons, oranges, mandarins, mangoes and organic apples.
Left to right: Steve Mayer, Andy Adcock, Tony Mitchell
The newly appointed Retail Advisory Council will further strengthen Apeel’s retail alliances and help ensure retailer partners are able to offer a differentiated and quality experience to their shoppers. With today’s announcement, Apeel introduces its first three members of the eight member council.
- Steve Mayer, SVP of merchandising at Raley’s of Arizona, brings a retail background of almost 40 years during which he has held key leadership positions in grocery chains including Smitty’s, Meijer, Ahold, Schnucks and Bashas’. Mayer has seen the level of food waste both in the stores and in the field and is inspired to lend his expertise to a company successfully working to reduce waste at every step of the supply chain.
- Andy Adcock brings almost 30 years of retail experience leading commercial operations and holding senior positions at Sainsbury’s, Asda and multinational retailer Marks & Spencer. Innovation and commercial delivery has been his business priorities, with an increasing dedication to product quality and sustainability. He is joining Apeel’s Retail Advisory Board to support the company’s commitment in driving consumer satisfaction and lends broad knowledge of the food sector, both in the US and the UK.
- Tony Mitchell, vice-president corporate produce and floral at Associated Wholesale Grocer and a IFPA retail council member, is an industry veteran with more than 30 years experience in the grocery industry. He lends support to Apeel, a company that has the same drive to prevent food waste while building consumer confidence in the food they buy.
“Retailers throughout Europe and North America are working hard to react to the rapidly changing buying behaviors and preferences of consumers as they look for more convenience, better value and innovative products, especially in fresh,” said Smits. “As such, grocers have new opportunities to provide a differentiating credential of sustainability, as well as a guarantee for longer-lasting quality which is why we’re excited to pull together a team of experts to help us work with our retail partners.”
For more information:
Nadia Jamshidi
Apeel
Tel: +1 (408) 859-6052
[email protected]
www.apeel.com