PetSmart Names New Chief Commercial Officer

PetSmart has named Jesica Duarte as executive vice president and chief commercial officer. She will oversee merchandising, proprietary brands, merchandise planning & allocation, digital, and marketing organizations at PetSmart. 

According to PetSmart, the role is designed to accelerate the company's growth strategy, enhance the customer experience, and grow market share.

"Jesica is a strategic and growth-minded leader, with an impressive career tenure working across successful retail brands" said Ken Hicks, president and CEO at PetSmart. "She has led teams through significant business and process transformations, while delivering strong business results and her expertise will be invaluable as we work to advance our long-range plan."

Duarte most recently served as group vice president, National Merchandising for the Albertsons Companies and spent the nearly 12 years prior at Walmart serving in various leadership roles including VP Private Brands, General Merchandise, Walmart U.S.; VP Product Development & Sourcing, Home, Walmart U.S. and Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer for Walmart Chile. Her prior experience includes merchandising and marketing roles at Molson Coors Beverage Company, Beam Suntory, Estee Lauder and J.C. Penney.

"This is an exciting time at PetSmart, and I'm thrilled to be joining this impressive team at such a pivotal time in the business," said Duarte. "PetSmart has such a special and unique community of associates, pet parents and pets who all share the same passion and I'm looking forward to being a part of that. I'm equally pleased to bring together my own passions for merchandising, marketing and meeting the customer where they are with omnichannel capabilities and to contribute to the work being done to make PetSmart the favorite pet retailer."