CINCINNATI, Nov. 24, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), today announced that Paul Scutt, Senior Vice President, Retail Operations, will retire in late February 2011 after a distinguished 45-year career with the company.
"Paul has been a driving force behind Kroger's safety, productivity, and cost control improvements," said David B. Dillon, Kroger's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Under Paul's leadership, the company has significantly reduced employee accidents, improved management of product shrink and other operating costs, and instituted process changes that have allowed Kroger to invest in its Customer 1st strategy."
"Paul has been an important leader in our company and his influence on our business operations will be felt for many years to come," noted Rodney McMullen, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kroger. "He led us in creating solutions that allow Kroger to operate safer and more efficient stores."
Mr. Scutt began his career with Kroger in 1965 as a store clerk. In 1970, he left Kroger to serve in the U.S. Army, including a 15-month tour in Vietnam. Upon his return from military service with the rank of Specialist 5th class, Mr. Scutt earned his degree from Indiana University and entered Kroger's management training program. In 1976, he became a store manager and quickly rose through the company's operations and merchandising leadership positions. Mr. Scutt was named Vice President of the Dillon Companies in 1997 and in 2000 he was appointed President of the Kroger Central Marketing Area, based in Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2002, Mr. Scutt became an officer of the company and joined the senior executive team based in Cincinnati, leading Retail Operations.
Mr. Scutt is a native of Indiana. He and his wife, Carol, have two children and one grandchild.
Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 334,000 associates who serve customers in 2,468 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The Company also operates 784 convenience stores, 372 fine jewelry stores, 932 supermarket fuel centers and 40 food processing plants in the U.S. Kroger, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, focuses its charitable efforts on supporting hunger relief, health and wellness initiatives, and local organizations in the communities it serves. For more information about Kroger, please visit www.kroger.com.
SOURCE The Kroger Co.
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