Janel Haugarth, one of Supervalu's top executives, will retire Dec. 26 after almost 40 years with the company.

Haugarth is in charge of Supervalu's wholesale food business, which accounts for about half the Eden Prairie-based company's revenue.

She will be succeeded by Mike Stigers, now president of Supervalu's Cub Foods chain, the company said on Monday. Stigers, a 40-year-plus veteran of the grocery business, joined the company in 2011 as president of Shaw's, a northeastern supermarket chain then owned by Supervalu.

Haugarth, an executive vice president since 2006, has been in a variety of leadership positions at Supervalu. She's been a constant through turbulent times at the company in recent years.

"Janel has been a tremendous advocate for the this company throughout her Supervalu career," Supervalu CEO Sam Duncan said in a press statement.

Supervalu is one of the nation's largest food wholesalers. It also owns the national discount-chain Save-A-Lot and several regional grocery chains.

Mike Hughlett • 612-673-7003