Springdale-based Harps Food Stores will see a leadership change when CEO Kim Eskew steps down and J. Max Van Hoose assumes the role in early 2027. The transition was announced by the company this fall, marking a significant shift for the regional grocery chain after Eskew’s long tenure as CEO and chairman.
Harps Food Stores, founded in 1930, operates more than 70 stores across Arkansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas. Eskew’s retirement concludes a career during which he has overseen steady regional expansion and deepened the company’s community roots. Van Hoose, currently serving in a key executive capacity at Harps, will take over leadership responsibilities and guide the company’s future strategy.
J. Max Van Hoose joined Harps in 2017 as president and chief operating officer, bringing decades of grocery industry experience. Under his operational leadership, Harps has focused on improving store efficiencies and enhancing customer service, which remain critical as the company faces pressures related to supply chain challenges and local competition.
Kim Eskew’s retirement announcement comes as the grocery sector in Northwest Arkansas is evolving, with increased competition from national chains and shifting consumer preferences impacting regional market dynamics. Harps has remained locally controlled, setting it apart from many national and publicly traded competitors.
“This planned transition reflects Harps’ commitment to thoughtful leadership succession,” said a company spokesperson. The move is designed to ensure continued stability and operational continuity while positioning Harps to remain competitive in a changing retail environment.
Harps’ local ownership has long been a hallmark within Northwest Arkansas, operating with a focus on local employment and regional economic contribution. The company employs more than 3,000 people and is among the largest private employers in the region.
The 2027 leadership change comes as Harps navigates the retail grocery landscape across its four-state footprint. With inflationary pressures and e-commerce competition affecting the grocery sector nationally, industry analysts will be watching how Van Hoose steers the company forward.
Van Hoose’s appointment continues a pattern of internal succession planning at Harps, which has historically promoted leaders from within the organization. His background includes senior leadership roles at grocery chains such as Schnucks and Kroger prior to joining Harps.
Harps Food Stores’ ability to maintain its regional market share amid growth by players like Walmart—headquartered nearby in Bentonville—and other national chains remains a strategic focus. Walmart’s recent $100 million FTC settlement over driver practices highlights the scrutiny and operational challenges large grocers face as they evolve their delivery and logistics models.
The transition to Van Hoose reflects not only a generational shift but also an opportunity to adapt Harps’ strategies in areas including supply chain resilience, digital innovation, and shopper experience enhancements—areas critical to maintaining relevance in Northwest Arkansas and beyond.
Source: Talk Business & Politics
