The Supply Side: Wal-Mart supplier retail news briefs

• Supervalu turnover puts Duncan on top
Sam Duncan was named CEO and president of Supervalu Inc. on Monday, replacing Wayne Sales and confirming a leadership turnover that was set in place when the company inked a deal to sell an equity stake, and several of its grocery chains, to a private equity group.

Minnesota-based Supervalu announced that Duncan would begin his new role immediately. Sales will remain as executive chairman until the deal between Supervalu and the investment group, led by Cerberus Capital Management, closes.

• Wet Seal Inc. CEO resigns amid cost restructuring
Teen apparel retailer Wet Seal recently unveiled a series of cost-reduction efforts, including the elimination of the chief operating officer position, that will save about $5.5 million this year.

President and chief operating officer Ken Seipel will resign immediately to pursue other professional opportunities.

John Goodman, appointed chief executive, will now lead store operations, e-commerce and construction functions, while chief financial officer Steve Benrubi will oversee the information-technology and real-estate functions.

The company said it is reviewing various business strategies to increase operational efficiency and profitability going forward.

This assessment eliminated the chief operating officer role and cut 35 other positions within the company. The workforce reductions are expected to result in annualized pretax savings of about $3.8 million beginning in fiscal 2013, and Wet Seal expects to incur one-time severance charges of about $1.3 million in its fiscal 2012 fourth quarter.

• Kraft sues Cracker Barrel
Kraft Foods filed a lawsuit against Cracker Barrel Old Country Store last week over its decision to begin selling certain Cracker Barrel branded products outside of its restaurants and stores.

The food manufacturer wants a marketing license agreement between Cracker Barrel Old Country Store and the John Morrell Food Group to be declared void because it violates its rights to the Cracker Barrel brand.

Kraft stated in court filing that since 1954, the only Cracker Barrel brand products offered at grocery and similar stores have come exclusively from Kraft or have been licensed by Kraft and not from the restaurant chain, according to Reuters.

• Golden State Foods invests down under
Golden State Foods, one of the largest diversified food processors and distributors in the U.S., announced Tuesday, (Feb. 5)  that it acquired majority ownership of Groenz Group Limited in a joint venture agreement.

Groenz is manufacturer of sauces, dressings, condiments and powders for the quick service restaurant (QSR) and food service industries in New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.

"This opportunity with Groenz is a continuation of our strategy to support our customers in their local markets," said Mark Wetterau, chairman and CEO of Golden State Foods. "Groenz brings a tremendous reputation for service and product innovation, which will greatly enhance our product offerings and service to our customers, and we look forward to working with them."