The new CEO of Cardenas Markets is Eric Stover

Heritage Grocers Group has promoted Eric Stover to division CEO of Cardenas Markets, based in Ontario, Calif.

Stover will continue to report directly to Doug Sanders, chairman and CEO for Heritage Grocers Group, the parent company of Cardenas Markets, according to a news release. Cardenas Markets is one of the largest Hispanic grocery chains in the country, with stores in California, Nevada and Arizona.

Stover’s promotion is part of the company’s overall growth plan, Sanders said. Formerly chief merchandising officer for Cardenas since 2020, Stover led several successful initiatives focused on meeting and expanding the customer’s evolving food preferences while improving the shopper’s in-store and online shopping experiences, he said.

“Eric is a strong leader with extensive experience and vision,” Sanders said.

As Stover assumes the role of CEO for Cardenas Markets, Sanders will allocate more of his time to executing the company’s expansion strategy across the entire Heritage Grocers Group portfolio of companies.

When Stover joined Cardenas Markets in March 2020, he had more than 35 years of food industry experience. He held leadership roles in merchandising and operations for several food retailers, including Wild Oats, Henry’s Farmers Market and Sprouts Farmers Market. He also held senior roles with wholesale and distribution companies, including United Natural Foods (UNFI) and KeHE Distributors.

Stover studied business administration and psychology at the University of Texas at Arlington. He also serves on the board of directors for the Western Association of Food Chains and on the Food Industry Round Table for Olive Crest.

Heritage Grocers Group is a specialty food retailer that offers an extensive assortment of both traditional and specialty grocery items to the communities it serves. Also headquartered in Ontario, Calif., the group operates in California, Nevada, Arizona and Illinois, with 57 stores under the Cardenas Markets banner, 20 stores under the Tony’s Fresh Market banner and seven stores under the Los Altos Ranch Market banner.

Cardenas Markets also operates the Los Altos Ranch Markets banner.