Target Names Jeff Burt New SVP of Grocery

This week, Target announced Jeff Burt will be its new SVP of grocery, fresh food and beverage. His key role will be focusing on the retailer’s aggressive company wide food and beverage approach.

Prior to joining the team at Target, Burt served as the president of Krogers Fred Myer division where he was responsible for executive management stores, fuel stations distribution centers and a little over 38,000 employees. All together, Burt has over 30 years of experience working at Kroger.

“I’ve always admired the love that shoppers have for Target,” Burt said in a statement to the press. “There is an opportunity to harness the power of the Target brand to more clearly cater to what consumers want when they’re shopping for food and beverage. I am eager to join the team to help fuel the work that’s under way and propel the business forward.”

Target has been trying to keep up with competition in the grocery sector from other big box retailers such as Wal-Mart and Amazon. It’s new strategy will hopefully give the retailer a leg up in what is becoming a a crowded space. In a recent report, it’s estimated online grocery could grow five-fold over the next decade, with American consumers spending upwards of $100 billion on food-at-home times by 2025.