West Coast independent grocers New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets, operators within the Good Food Holdings family of brands, have revealed a strategic growth plan which includes a change of management and two new store leases.

Forrest Hoffmaster will step down as CEO of both banners at the end of March 2021. A full executive search is currently underway, and a successor is expected to be appointed before Hoffmaster leaves. Hoffmaster will continue to lead both organizations, as well as the transition team to ensure a smooth transition.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have been able to accomplish together, in dealing with the pandemic and unprecedented disruption in our industry,” said Hoffmaster. “We transformed our growth strategy and strengthened our capabilities, while deepening our local engagement and leading with values ​​for the long-term health of the organization. With our supporting partners at Good Food Holdings and a strong leadership team in place, our company is poised to welcome a new leader to lay the groundwork and continue investing in growth, innovation and experience.

In addition, New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets are focusing their strategic efforts on better localizing each banner in order to increase market share, create a customer experience first and foremost and help local communities. The two grocers will work on program innovation and improving their private label offering, store design and growth, food and beverage offerings, and customer experience.

Also as part of the strategic growth plan, New Seasons is opening two new stores in the greater Portland, Oregon metropolitan area, Lake Oswego, Oregon, and Vancouver, Wash. Each store will offer a wide selection of high quality local produce. brands, as well as over 100 competitively paying jobs for neighborhood residents.

“We are excited to deepen our relationship in two communities that know and love the core New Seasons experience,” said Dave Kauder, New Seasons SVP. “Both stores will continue to offer what our customers love: quality, organic and local produce, meat and other basic groceries. “

The 27,800-square-foot Lake Oswego store will be located in the Palisades Marketplace at 1377 McVey Avenue and is slated to open in spring 2022, while the Vancouver store, the city’s second New Seasons store, is slated to open in 25,000- space. square feet as part of a new development at Main Street and W 15^e Street in fall 2023.

Kauder continues, “In Vancouver, we will enter a new era, bringing the developing downtown market to our next-gen store with enhanced ready-meal offerings, an updated grocery format and a refined mix. for the community, and integrated technology that provides a more solid customer experience.

In addition to new store openings, the two grocers will continue to invest in existing supermarkets, including the relocation of the New Leaf store from Capitola, Calif., To King’s Plaza Shopping Center by 2024.

New seasons currently employs 3,500 associates at 19 stores in Oregon, Washington State and Northern California. With five stores along the central California coast, organic and natural grocery store New leaf has been a wholly owned subsidiary of New Seasons Market since November 2013 and is the first California grocer to reach Company B certificate. The two grocers dedicate 10% of their after-tax profits to the communities they serve.

Based in Los Angeles Good food is the holding company of five independent grocers: Bristol Farms, Metropolitan Market, Lazy Acres Natural Market, New Seasons and New Leaf. Each banner has its own management team, its own corporate culture, its operating philosophy and its marketing strategy. Good Food Holdings is a subsidiary of Emart, part of the Shinsegae Group, a global retailer based in Seoul, South Korea.