Spartan Appoints Hartline E.V.P. Merchandising

Alan Hartline

Spartan Stores has promoted Alan Hartline to the newly created position of e.v.p. merchandising, to lead merchandising strategies for the Midwest grocer's retail and distribution divisions.

Hartline joined Spartan in 2003 as v.p. retail merchandising, and most recently was s.v.p. merchandising in 2007. "[He] has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills, tremendous grocery industry insight, and has been instrumental in our continuing success," the company said of Hartline.

Before coming to Spartan, Hartline was strategic business manager at Stamford, Conn.-based Daymon Worldwide, leading a team in the category development group. He additionally spent two years with A&P's Midwest division, where he held the positions of senior category manager, merchandising program manager, and director of strategic pricing and data integrity. Hartline also spent 15 years with Kroger in various operations and merchandising positions.

Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Spartan is the nation's 10th-largest grocery distributor, with warehouse facilities in Grand Rapids and Plymouth, Mich. The company distributes over 40,000 private label and national brand products to nearly 400 independent grocery stores in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. Spartan also owns and operates 84 retail supermarkets in its home state, under such banners as Family Fare Supermarkets, Glen's Markets, D&W Fresh Market, and Felpausch Food Centers.