Rite Aid names retail operations executive
Rite Aid has new leadership for its retail operations. The Camp Hill, Pa.-based retailer on Tuesday named Andre Persaud executive vice president of retail operations, charging him with overseeing the company’s retail ops, supply chain asset protection and store facilities.
Persaud most recently was an executive consultant for Wakefern Food. His roughly quarter-century career in retail has included time in grocery, pharmacy, off-price apparel and beauty services. The role he moves into was taken over by chief pharmacy officer Jocelyn Konrad last March after the company restructured its leadership team.
“I’m thrilled to join Rite Aid at such a pivotal moment in the company’s history,” Persaud said. “Customer expectations of retail pharmacies are rapidly changing. They want a more engaged health and wellness experience, more relevant, curated merchandise and a seamless retail experience. I look forward to working with the Rite Aid team to deliver on these expectations."
With regard to curated merchandise, the company has made a big push in the front end in the past year, beginning last April, when the chain revived its Rite Aid Pharmacy line of private brand OTC products. It also has focused on growing the reach of its Thrifty Ice Cream brand into California after a repositioning.
Before his work with Wakefern, Persaud was executive vice president of retail for Shopko, overseeing the company’s retail, pharmacy and optical efforts across all stores and banners. He also has held store operations leadership roles with Burlington Stores and Canadian grocer Loblaw, as well as Canadian pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart.
“Andre has demonstrated proven success when it comes to leading a transformational retail strategy,” said Heyward Donigan, Rite Aid CEO. “The company has many exciting growth initiatives planned for 2020 and beyond. With Andre on board, we will move quickly to build on existing Rite Aid customer loyalty and implement a compelling, go-forward retail vision.”