EMERYVILLE, CA - Turning the page in its growth playbook, Grocery Outlet has announced a transition of its leadership. In this new chapter, Eric Lindberg, the current Chief Executive Officer, will become Chairman of the Board, and RJ Sheedy, the retailer's President, will become President and CEO, effective January 1, 2023. Sheedy will also be appointed to the Board, and Erik D. Ragatz, Chairman of the Board, will become the Lead Independent Director.

"I am honored to serve as the next CEO of Grocery Outlet, succeeding Eric, who has demonstrated great leadership and vision. The company has experienced tremendous growth and transformation during his tenure, and I look forward to working with Eric for many more years to come," said Sheedy. "For over 10 years, I have had the privilege of working with the incredibly talented and committed group of independent operators and employees at Grocery Outlet. I am excited to continue working closely with them to provide even better value to our customers and extend our mission of Touching Lives for the Better in both existing and new geographies. I am eager to lead Grocery Outlet forward as we strive to realize our tremendous growth potential."

Sheedy has over 20 years of experience in grocery and retail and has been part of the Grocery Outlet team since 2012. According to a release, he took over the role of President in 2019, and throughout his tenure with the retailer, he has served in a variety of other leadership roles overseeing purchasing, marketing, supply chain, and strategy.

Lindberg shared his enthusiasm for Sheedy taking over the CEO position, detailing his leadership strengths.

"There is no one better to lead Grocery Outlet into the next chapter of growth than RJ Sheedy. He is a strong business leader who takes a long-term strategic approach, which will position Grocery Outlet for continued success," he said. "RJ's leadership style exemplifies our culture and values, he is passionate about the business, and his relentless pursuit of excellence resonates with and inspires our team. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have led this remarkable group of people for the past 17 years, and I look forward to working closely with RJ and the management team in my future role as Chairman."

Ragatz followed suit, sharing his confidence in Sheedy and his appreciation for Lindberg's contributions to Grocery Outlet's development.

"On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Eric for his outstanding leadership and unwavering commitment to Grocery Outlet and our employees, independent operators, customers, and communities. Under his stewardship, the business has experienced remarkable success and remains well-positioned for continued growth," he commented. "As President, RJ has been instrumental in that success and in guiding the company's long-term strategic vision. RJ is a respected leader throughout the company, and we are confident that he is the best person to lead Grocery Outlet through this exciting next phase of growth."

Best of luck to all three leaders as they transition into their new roles!

Grocery Outlet