Spanish grocer Grupo Eroski has appointed Augustine Markaide as its new president.

The retailer said on Monday (31 January) that Markaide will replace Constan Dacosta, who will retire on 30 April after 15 years as president and more than 39 years at Eroski.

Markaide has held various senior management roles within the retailer over the last 15 years, as well as becoming general director of the group’s parent company, Mondragon Corporacion, in 2001.

The retail co-operative paid tribute to Dacosta’s contribution, saying it focused on expanding its hypermarket format during his tenure, undertaking an ambitious plan to grow its supermarkets organically, forming alliances with regional operators, as well as acquiring Caprabo and entering an alliance with French group Les Mousquetaires in 2002.