Company: Kings Food Markets
Company Description: For more than 75 years, Kings Food Markets has provided North and Central New Jersey and Long Island, New York with the highest quality foods paired with unique shopping experiences. Kings is based in Parsippany, NJ, with 24 stores serving the region.
Nomination Category: Individual Awards Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Female Executive of the Year – Consumer Services –More Than 2,500 Employees

Nomination Title: Judy Spires, CEO & President

Describe for the judges the activities and accomplishments of the nominated executive since the beginning of July last year (up to 500 words):

Judy Spires is the CEO of our Kings Food Markets/Balducci’s brands. Since taking the reins in 2010, in the middle of a recession, Judith Spires has awakened a traditional company that hasn’t changed much in 75 years, with new ideas, innovation, rebranding, an expansion, and a three year revenue growth plan called the 3 B’s: Build, Buy and Better.

Build:

In 2011 and 2012, Kings launched the reopening of newly renovated stores in New Jersey with new design, fresh foods, and a strong emphasis on service. The company is also opening new stores under the Balducci’s Brand, with the return of Balducci’s to Manhattan with a unique Gourmet on the Go Café.

Buy:

Kings recently expanded into Connecticut, with the acquisition of an existing Market in Old Greenwich.

Better:

Explaining Kings’ new brand slogan, “Where Inspiration Strikes,” Judy Spires says, “Our goal is for customers to discover those moments in our stores where inspiration strikes, whether it's finally finding a rare ingredient, creating a delicious menu using recipes from Kings' chefs, or knowing they can rely on pairing suggestions and preparation tips from our associates.”

“We want shoppers to be inspired by moments in our stores where the freshest ingredients, rarest finds and their passion for cooking all come together to create the perfect meal,” Judy Spires, Kings’ president and CEO, said in a press release announcing the new brand. “Therefore, it was important that we further enhance our customers’ experiences both online and in stores to allow that inspiration to strike whenever and wherever they interact with the Kings brand.”

Additionally:

•Unique to Kings Food Markets, the company recently adapted it supply chain to deliver its Local Fresh 24/7 program, providing produce from local and regional farmers the day they are harvested.
•Kings also partnered with FishWise to provide a new sustainable seafood program.
•As part of their new branding efforts, Kings Food Markets is now targeting “echo boomers,” the children of boomers, through a new website, cooking classes, great service, and QR codes throughout the store.

Spires is also giving back:

•Spires, along with her team, has spearheaded Kings’ “Act Against Hunger” initiative which, through a partnership with Rutgers Cooperative Extension, will provide volunteer and financial support to local community gardens that harvest much-needed, fresh foods for donation to local food banks and soup kitchens.
•In 2012, Spires and her husband sponsored the Spires College Scholarship for employees or their family members.

With a focus on their sophisticated customer, well trained employees, capital investments and a truly contagious passion form the industry, Judith Spires is growing and leading an old upscale market into the 21st century with success. Spires was recently honored for driving diversity and inclusion in the consumer products and retail industry by the Network of Executive Women.

Provide a brief biography of the nominated executive (up to 100 words):

Ms. Spires served as the President of Acme Markets, Inc., a 125-chain grocery store, until March 8, 2010 before taking the helm at Kings Food Markets. She also served as President of eastern division at New Albertson's, Inc. since February 2006 and its President of the Dallas Ft. Worth Division since February 2004. She started her career in 1970 with the grocery chain, then owned by American Stores. Ms. Spires received a Bachelor of Arts degree and an MBA from LaSalle University.