Save Mart president Spengler retires

MODESTO, Calif. Save Mart Supermarkets president Bob Spengler retired today after coming out of retirement two years ago to help acquire Albertson’s LLC.

“I’m very, very confident with the management team that’s in place now,” said Spengler, 67. “And I feel this is a company on the cusp of being a far greater success than it is now.” Spengler will not be replaced as president. Save Mart chief executive officer Bob Piccinini will continue to head the company.

Spengler initially retired in 2005 but returned to the chain in 2006 to lead the acquisition of 130 Albertson’s stores in Northern California and Nevada following Albertson’s purchase by Supervalu. During that time, Save Mart also resurrected the Lucky Supermarkets name and converted more than 70 Albertson’s stores to the Lucky banner.

Spengler spent 22 years with Save Mart and leaves behind a 248-store chain that operates stores under the Save Mart, Lucky and FoodMaxx banners.