Unconfirmed reports published by Germany’s leading grocery news publication Lebensmittel Zeitung suggest Uwe Bockius, head of German retailer Edeka’s Fruchtkontor fresh produce sourcing division, has left the company with immediate effect.
Citing sources within the company, the newspaper said Mario Slunitschek, a former regional manager at Metro Group, was poised to take over the role.
Bockius is known to many in the fresh produce business as a friendly but formidable operator who has driven the development of Edeka’s fresh fruit and vegetable department over the past decade.
Countering Germany’s prevailing discount trend, he was instrumental in building added-value ranges under the private labels Edeka Rio Grande, Edeka Gärtners Beste and Edeka Selection, as well as helping to foster the company’s commitment to sourcing Fairtrade and environmentally friendly products.
He also contributed to a major increase in like-for-like sales over the past ten years as a result of Edeka’s innovative and long-running Wir lieben Lebensmittel campaign.
