Harps Food Stores CEO Kim Eskew to Retire
Kim Eskew, the CEO and Chairman of regional grocer Harps Food Stores, will retire on January 15, 2027. J. Max Van Hoose, grandson of the company's founders, is set to succeed him as president and lead role. Eskew has spent nearly half a century with Harps, starting in 1977 as a part-time employee before rising through various leadership roles over decades. Eskew’s tenure saw significant growth for Harps, including numerous acquisitions that expanded the company into new states such as Louisiana and Mississippi. Under his leadership, the grocer nearly doubled its store count by acquiring independent chains in surrounding regions of Arkansas. Van Hoose is expected to continue this trajectory while maintaining the company's core values. The executive transition follows recent internal promotions at Harps, including Will McDoniel’s appointment as director of AI strategy and innovation and William Haulmark named director of insurance.
Topics: grocery industry leadership change retail