Store Brands Rising Stars: Aaron Lopez of Staples
The rising stars across private label are shining brighter, reflective of an industry in the midst of robust growth and needing younger talent to develop new methods of doing business at a time when growth opportunities are robust.
The Fifth Annual Store Brands Rising Stars honors this crop of new talent that is driving sales from the retail and supplier sides of the business. Private label product sales over the past year continued to grow and the efforts of retailers through the first half of 2024 show an ongoing appetite for products that are unique and also offer shoppers a strong value.
RELATED: Meet the Store Brands Rising Stars Class of 2024
This year’s list of Rising Stars provides insight into how a new crop of talented individuals under the age of 40 are pushing the industry forward and continuing to innovate.
Aaron Lopez
Staples
Aaron Lopez’s career journey at Staples is marked by a commitment to ensuring exceptional product experiences for customers. His success can be attributed to several key factors: a deep passion for his work, a relentless pursuit of learning, adaptability, and strong follow-through on commitments.
From the outset of his career, Lopez has held various progressive roles in quality management. His primary responsibility has been to ensure customers receive quality products, a mission he is fervently passionate about.
“I also value the importance of staying curious, continuously learning new skills, being able to adapt to change, and following through on commitments,” he said. I am thankful to have worked for many great managers over the years who helped to challenge me and provide various development opportunities.”
In his current role as senior manager of Quality and Product Safety, Lopez oversees about 10 brands and numerous product categories. This diverse responsibility ensures that no two days are the same.
“We receive many suggestions from customers on our products and we are continuously looking to improve,” he said. “Along with the variety each day brings, I love working with colleagues to resolve challenging product issues and exceeding the expectations of our customers.”
Colleagues said the impact Lopez has on Staples’ owned brands is profound. As a leader of the Safety Committee for Staples' owned brands, he has driven significant improvements in product quality. By focusing on the root causes of customer dissatisfaction and spearheading quality improvement projects, He has successfully elevated the average star ratings for Staples' private brand products.
He was also humbled by being named a 2024 Store Brands Rising Star. I am truly honored by this recognition and genuinely appreciate that my organization nominated me,” he said.
