Contact Overview
Name: Lauren Conforti
Current Position: Director of Marketing
Company: Citarella – The Ultimate Gourmet Market
Location: New York, United States
LinkedIn: [lauren-conforti-0a73024](http://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-conforti-0a73024)
Professional Summary
Lauren Conforti currently serves as Director of Marketing at Citarella, a prominent New York-based gourmet food retailer with 501–1,000 employees and over a century of culinary legacy. She has held this senior leadership post since July 2016. Conforti is described as a driven marketing professional, distinguished by a demonstrated history in the retail and food & beverage industries, with particular expertise in digital marketing and brand management.
Her role at Citarella encompasses comprehensive responsibility for brand strategy, digital commerce, customer engagement, and integrated marketing initiatives that support Citarella’s premium positioning in the specialty grocery and gourmet food market. Recent marketing campaigns reflect Citarella’s emphasis on community engagement and artisan food excellence, helping to establish the brand as an iconic destination in Manhattan, the Hamptons, and Greenwich, Connecticut, both in-store and via eCommerce.
Career Background
Citarella – The Ultimate Gourmet Market
- Director of Marketing (July 2016 – present)
Lauren leads marketing for one of the oldest family-run gourmet markets in New York, recognized for its specialty grocery products, in-house chef-prepared foods, and high-volume eCommerce operations. Her tenure is marked by increased digital brand presence, new product launches, and community-driven campaigns, such as the Summer RoundUp benefiting local children and partnerships featured in outlets like Forbes and Modern Luxury Hamptons Magazine.
- Additional Leadership
The marketing department at Citarella includes a team reporting into Lauren, comprising roles such as Creative Manager, Marketing Coordinator, Marketing Manager, and Ecommerce/Digital Marketing Manager, reflecting a robust and multi-disciplinary structure that supports both brick-and-mortar and digital retail growth.
Previous Roles
- Wakefern Food Corp.
- Digital Commerce and Innovation Manager
- Retail Advertising Administrator
(February 2009 – July 2016)
- Linens n Things
- Advertising Analyst
- Internships
- Robertet
- Mount Saint Dominic Academy
Education
Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Marketing
Loyola University Maryland, 2005
Key Professional Competencies
- Digital Marketing & Brand Management: Proven leadership in digital strategy, e-commerce, web and content development, and integrated promotional campaigns.
- Retail Marketing: Deep understanding of grocery and specialty retail, leveraging both traditional and modern marketing channels.
- Team Leadership: Directs a cross-functional marketing department, overseeing creative development, digital innovation, and brand partnerships.
- Community Engagement: Instrumental in launching cause-driven campaigns that align brand goals with local community impact, exemplified by the Summer RoundUp campaign and philanthropic collaborations with East End charities.
- Product Launch & Public Relations: Experience in orchestrating high-profile launches and securing media coverage in prestigious outlets, such as Forbes and Modern Luxury.
Citarella Company Context
- Founded: 1912
- Type: Privately-held, family-run
- Industry: Food & Beverage Services / Consumer Goods / E-Commerce
- Headquarters: New York, NY
- Locations: 7 markets in Manhattan, The Hamptons, and Greenwich, CT; flagship location at 2135 Broadway, New York, NY 10023
- Specialties: Specialty grocery, dry-aged meats, chef-prepared foods, artisan pastries, curated cheeses, seafood, and own-brand packaged goods.
Citarella’s brand identity is rooted in exceptional food quality, leveraging a heritage of over 100 years. It remains an industry leader through its commitment to sourcing excellence and innovative retail experiences. The company is currently in a phase of active hiring and brand expansion, spotlighted by frequent recruitment campaigns and the elevation of in-house talent.
Recent Initiatives & Brand Activities
- National and Local Media: Regular features in publications including Forbes’ Mother’s Day Gift Guide and Modern Luxury Hamptons.
- Community Involvement: Ongoing philanthropic partnerships, notably with East End Fund for Children and other youth-focused organizations.
- Digital Expansion: Enhanced online shopping and nationwide shipping, with significant growth in eCommerce under Lauren's stewardship.
- Employee Development: Active internal training and ambassador programs to drive company core values and customer service standards.
Actionable Insights
Lauren Conforti’s leadership at Citarella underscores her proficiency in scaling digital marketing strategies and brand experiences for high-end, multi-location retail. Her background in both traditional and emerging marketing disciplines positions her as a key influencer in the company’s ongoing evolution—especially as Citarella expands its omni-channel footprint and deepens community partnerships. She maintains a robust network within the food retail sector and demonstrates a consistent focus on both revenue-driving and brand-building initiatives. Conforti’s decision-making is informed by her tenure at established food retailers and her academic grounding in marketing, making her a primary stakeholder for solutions and partnerships in digital marketing, customer experience, and retail innovation.
Direct contact and tailored commercial proposals related to digital strategy, food retail marketing, or retail technology integration should be addressed to Lauren Conforti at Citarella’s New York headquarters.
