• May 23, 2007

Douglas Palmer, Safeway's former VP/consumer brands, has joined the Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. as VP of its own brands. He will report to Rebecca Philbert, SVP/merchandising and supply & logistics, who joined the Northeast retailer from Safeway earlier.

At Safeway, Palmer oversaw the development of the company's brand rationalization and consolidation initiative, the redesign of its store-brand labeling, and the introduction of its corporate organic products brand. During his tenure, Safeway's Consumer Brands program received many packaging and product awards for its "O" Organics, Safeway Select, and Eating Right product lines, said A&P.

An industry veteran with over 20 years of corporate brands experience, Palmer previously served with Ahold USA, Daymon Worldwide, Meijer, and Farm Fresh.

Before joining A&P last December, Philbert was corporate VP at Safeway and senior lead of its "Lifestyle" store format.

A&P operates 406 stores in nine states and the District of Columbia under the A&P, Waldbaum's, The Food Emporium, Super Foodmart, Super Fresh, Farmer Jack, Sav-A-Center and Food Basics banners.