CINCINNATI –EG Group has promoted Jay Erickson, president of the Tom Thumb and Turkey Hill Minit Markets convenience-store chains, to president of c-store for EG America LLC, succeeding the departing Jeff Parker.
Erickson will manage and lead a national network of 987 c-stores in 23 states, effective immediately. Blackburn, U.K.-based EG Group, which operates approximately 5,000 c-stores in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Italy, acquired the 762-unit, multibranded Kroger c-store network in February 2018 and TravelCenters of America’s 225-unit Minit Mart c-store chain in September 2018.
EG Group closed on its acquisition of Kroger’s Quik Stop, Kwik Shop, Loaf 'N Jug, Turkey Hill and Tom Thumb c-stores in April. The company established its U.S. headquarters in Cincinnati and continues to operate the stores under their established banners. EG Group “is committed to growing its presence in the USA” following those deals, the company said.
“The EG Group owners and senior leadership are committed to investing in U.S. convenience store assets as seen by the Minit Mart acquisition, procurement of new-to-industry development plots, engaging brand partners, commitment to invest in people, systems and stores,” Erickson said. “I am a passionate believer that a culture of empowerment that starts from within will drive strong business results and the necessary behavior change.”
Erickson comes into the role with nearly 30 years of extensive experience in c-store operations, marketing, merchandising and strategy. He began his career as an associate and worked his way up to his most recent position as division president.
In his new role, Erickson will report directly to Mohsin Issa, founder and co-CEO of EG Group. His immediate focus will be on developing an effective retail strategy, integrating acquired c-store assets and creating a retail culture “that aims to exceed customer expectations,” the company said.
“We are delighted to have appointed Jay Erickson to lead the strategic development and retail operations in the USA,” said Issa. “I am committed to facilitate the establishment of an effective management team to support both Jay in his new role and our U.S. expansion plans. We firmly believe Jay’s depth of experience of in store operations and his hands-on retail operator approach will help lead EG America into the future.
“As entrepreneurs who have grown a multinational business from a single convenience store, we are proud to have given numerous colleagues the opportunity to take on senior roles which they would not have dreamt of," he continued. "We reward individuals who show the right endeavor and desire to succeed in retail with additional leadership responsibility. This is an incredibly exciting time for EG America’s growth, and I look forward to working with my team.”
Zuber Issa, founder and co-CEO of EG Group, said, “EG America is in a period of transition and we need to focus on establishing a retail culture that will enable our convenience stores to be recognized as retail destinations recognized for investment, innovation and providing a brand offer our customers can trust. With Jay, we get an exceptional retail professional with a proven store operator track record. He is also somebody who can inspire team members to deliver a best-in-class customer experience in fuel, convenience store and food to go. He truly embodies EG Group’s vision and values.”
Photograph courtesy of EG Group
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