The Kroger Co. has appointed former Aldi executive Liz Ferneding as president of its value-oriented Ruler store division.
She succeeds Paul Bowen, who retired in May. Before signing on with Kroger, Ferneding spent 11 years at Aldi where she was previously director of corporate buying.
“Liz’s extensive grocery retail experience in procurement, marketing, advertising, management and operations will be an asset to our Ruler associates, customers and community,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO. “We have a lot of respect for the Ruler format and the customer it serves. Liz’s talent and insights will help us sharpen our value-centric, small-format store.”
Headquartered in Seymour, IN, Kroger’s Ruler division operates 48 stores in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio and Tennessee. Stores average 19,000 square feet, and offer low prices and an expansive selection of Our Brands foods. Kroger stated that Ruler would open two new stores later this year.
