2026 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit

Demetrius Walker serves as Vice President of Retail Services for Food Lion, where he leads the teams and strategies that bring the company’s brand, strategy, and culture to life across more than 1,100 stores in their 10-state footprint. In this role, he oversees all facets of Retail Services, including store labor and productivity, standard practices, retail communications, and the implementation of operational innovations that strengthen efficiency and elevate associate and customer experiences. He also guides the development and training of retail associates and manages key controllable expenses that support Food Lion’s long-term performance.

Demetrius stepped into the vice president role in March 2025 after serving as Director of Brand Inventory Management. There, he led cross-functional efforts to optimize product flow, improve shelf standards, and address capacity challenges in partnership with teams across Merchandising, Pricing, Retail Operations, IT, Distribution, and Supply Chain.

Beginning his Food Lion career in 1999 as a bagger in Greenville, N.C., Demetrius has built deep operational expertise through a wide range of leadership roles, including Store Manager; District Manager at Bloom; Director of Operations; Regional Director of Operations; Director of Strategy Implementation and Facilities Management, and Director of Retail Productivity and Standards. His career reflects a consistent focus on operational excellence, associate empowerment, and scalable solutions that strengthen store performance.

Demetrius holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in business administration from East Carolina University. He resides in Salisbury, N.C., and is the proud father of two sons, Darius and Dylan. Outside of work, he enjoys staying active, collecting classic cars, spending time with loved ones, and connecting with nature to support his overall well-being.