Safeway announced yesterday (29 April) that the company’s current president, Robert Edwards, will succeed Steve Burd as chairman and chief executive.

Burd is due to retire on 14 May, when Edwards will take up the reigns.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

Edwards has a strong track record with Safeway. He joined the group in 2004 as EVP and chief financial officer, a role he held until last month. In 2012, he was named president with responsibility for retail operations, marketing, merchandising, corporate brands, manufacturing, distribution and finance functions.

The appointment of a Safeway insider suggests the company is largely comfortable with its current direction, as it faces increasingly difficult trading conditions. And it would seem investors concur: shares in the group edged up slightly on the NYSE, climbing to $23.52, after the well-flagged appointment was made public yesterday.

For just-food’s previous analysis of the challenges facing Safeway’s incoming CEO, click here.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Food Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Food Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

Excellence in Action
Winning five categories in the 2025 Just Food Excellence Awards, Centric Software is setting the pace for digital transformation in food and FMCG. Explore how its integrated PLM and PXM suite delivers faster launches, smarter compliance and data-driven growth for complex, multi-channel product portfolios.

Discover the Impact