SWFL specialty food company woos Kroger, Walmart executive

Gourmet specialty foods company Innovative Food Holdings has named former Kroger and Walmart executive Brady Smallwood COO. 

Smallwood will develop, integrate and oversee companywide “strategies designed to maximize efficiencies and drive growth across all business categories,” according to a statement. The Bonita Springs-based company, which caters to professional and home chefs, posted $80.1 million in revenue in 2022. Innovative Food Holdings is publicly traded, over the counter.

Smallwood was most recently senior director of e-commerce at The Kroger Co., responsible for the strategy, planning and operations of Kroger’s $10 billion e-commerce business. He also led the recent launch and implementation of Kroger’s rapid grocery delivery business, the release states. He joined Kroger from Walmart where he last served as director of merchandise operations, leading multiple digital transformation initiatives. Other entities he has worked for include Younique Products, a former subsidiary of Coty; American Capital; and Freddie Mac.

 

“We are excited to welcome Brady to IVFH,” Innovative Food Holdings CEO Bill Bennett says. “His extensive experience developing and implementing profitable retail strategies at complex, multibillion-dollar companies, including Kroger and Walmart, is complemented by his smaller company, ecommerce experience in the direct-to-consumer space.”