Jewel names new executive to oversee store remodels

Jewel-Osco has named Scott Hays as vice president of operations, overseeing the continued remodeling of its Chicago-area grocery stores, and the opening of five recently-acquired locations from the shuttered Dominicks chain.

Hays spent the last eight years as a district manager with Jewel parent company Albertson's in its Dallas/Ft. Worth division.

"Scott's years of experience with Albertsons combined with his vast knowledge of the grocery industry will enable him to mentor and educate his team to reach the highest level of excellence," Shane Sampson, Jewel-Osco president, said in a statement Friday.

Hays, who started with Albertson's Inc. as a grocery clerk in 1983, will head up operations for the 185-store Jewel chain, which is working to maintain its market-leading position in the face of increased competition.

Jewel-Osco is investing about $100 million in new projects and store remodeling this year, officials said. Jewel Osco completed the remodeling of 18 stores in December, and plans to remodel more than 25 stores this year.

Mariano's is more than doubling its chain to 29 stores this year, including 11 former Dominicks locations. Whole Foods is expanding its reach with the acquisition of 7 Dominick's locations in the city and surrounding suburbs. Smaller chains are also gobbling up locations from the 72-store Dominicks chain, which closed up shop in December.

Jewel reopened four former Dominick's stores under its banner in January. It hasn't announced when it will reopen five additional locations acquired last month from Dominick's parent, California-based Safeway Inc.

Last month, Albertsons agreed to buy Safeway in a deal valued at about $9.4 billion

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Jewel names new executive to oversee store remodels