Industry news: Walmart's departing CTO and Giant Tiger's newest store

A look at the movers and shakers in the grocery industry:

APPOINTMENTS

Vineland Research and Innovation Centre in Ontario appointed Ian Potter as its new chief executive officer. He takes over the role April 1 from interim CEO and former Nestle Canada president, Shelley Martin.

DEPARTURES

Walmart's chief technology officer Jeremy King is leaving the big-box retailer's U.S. operations after eight years, according to a report from Reuters, citing an internal company memo. The move comes as the company strives to compete with Seattle-based online behemoth Amazon.

AWARDS

Grand River Foods and Maple Lodge Farms were the first-ever recipients of the Ontario Chicken Innovation Award, created by the Chicken Farmers of Ontario (CFO), for their frozen, smoked chicken products.

STORE OPENINGS

Giant Tiger opened its newest location over the weekend–a 20,500-sq.-ft. space in Atholville, New Brunswick–bringing the discount retailer’s store count to 250.

Sobeys opened a Chalo FreshCo grocery store in Brampton, Ont. earlier this month. This brings the store count to four--three of which are now in Brampton with the fourth in neighbouring Mississauga.