ShopKo taps Kramer prez; Tyrrell remains as chairman - Super Valu Stores Inc. ShopKo Stores Inc., Dale P. Kramer, William J. Tyrrell

Discount Store News, April 15, 1991

ShopKo Taps Kramer Prez; Tyrrell Remains as Chairman

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Dale P. Kramer has been named president and chief operating officer of ShopKo, the 110-store Midwestern discount chain based here. He assumes the position from current president and chief executive officer William J. Tyrrell, who will continue to serve as chairman of the board and advisor to Kramer.

Kramer, a Purdue graduate, joined ShopKo in 1971 as director of professional services. He then moved his way up the corporate ladder as divisional merchandise manager, vice president/gmm, and executive vp and coo.

Tyrrell also joined the company in 1971, as administrative assistant to then-president James Ruben. A year later, he was named president and chief executive officer, and in 1985 became senior vice president of ShopKo parent Super Valu Stores, the food wholesaler and grocery operator.

"ShopKo has experienced another outstanding year," Tyrrell said while announcing Kramer's appointment. "Our most current fiscal year ended Feb. 23, with record sales and earnings. I am confident that the appointment of Dale Kramer . . . will continue ShopKo's leadership position of growth and prosperity in the retail industry."

ShopKo's performance was singled out by Super Valu when it reported record sales of $11.6 billion and net profits of $155 million for the year ending Feb. 23, 1991.

"ShopKo again demonstrated why they are among the elite companies in their industry," said Twin Valu chairman and ceo Mike Wright. ShopKo sales reached $1.7 billion with operating income of $92.3 million, including results from two Twin Valu hypermarkets, the first of which reported profitable operations for the fourth quarter. Wright added that the four stores opened since fiscal year-end have performed "very well." A fifth new store will debut in early fall, bringing ShopKo's store count, including the two Twin Valu locations, to 111.

The company's strong balance sheet will allow it to expand aggressively as opportunities develop, in both its ShopKo discount and Cubs Food grocery operations, Wright said. "Year-end performance [a strong fourth quarter, particularly at ShopKo] points to a strong fiscal 1992," Wright concluded. "We look forward to the challenges of producing another record year."