Walgreens reveals merchandising changes, identifies new team

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens announced a series of changes in its merchandising division following a realignment of the group, aimed at “better integrat[ing] with and accelerat[ing] our strategy to become America’s first choice for health and daily living,” Walgreens president of daily living products and solutions Joe Magnacca said late Friday in a statement to Drug Store News.



As a result, Walgreens’ three general merchandise managers and areas of responsibility are:

• 

Steve Broughton, food, beverages and household consumables;


• Shannon Curtin (formerly Petree), beauty, personal care and seasonal; and

• 
Robert Tompkins, health and wellness, front-end services and general merchandise.



All three continue to report to VP merchandising/chief merchandising officer Bryan Pugh. The moves became effective Friday.


“By the end of the day Monday, our vendors will be able to access this information, along with the new roles for our divisional merchandise managers and category managers, on our SupplierNet extranet,” Magnacca said.



As part of the moves, Frank Grilli, will now lead the expansion of the company’s regional buying program as divisional VP/GMM for regional procurement. “We have piloted this program in three markets and will be expanding it over the coming months, providing additional buying support, economies of scale and governance to our local markets,” Magnacca noted. “Frank will bring his deep store experience as well as buying expertise to this important new role.”  



In his new role, Grilli reports to Mark Scharbo, VP inventory strategy, as will Steve Lubin, divisional VP/GMM for non-mainland sourcing.    

In addition, it was announced that Magnacca’s leadership team had been expanded to include Moe Alkemade as VP retail brands and global sourcing, and Rachel Bishop as VP daily living strategy and business development.



Pugh and Scharbo will also continue reporting to Magnacca. 

Prior to the announcement, Alkemade had been GMM private brands, an area he will continue to oversee — including for Duane Reade. He will also be responsible for expanding Walgreens’ global sourcing capabilities. 
 
Bishop, who had been divisional VP strategic planning and analysis prior to the moves, will take on an expanded role, encompassing merchandising and marketing strategy, as well as support for mergers and acquisitions and other business development opportunities that support Walgreens’ daily living business objectives, Magnacca explained. Bishop will also continue to manage pricing, promotional strategy and capability development.  


“With our new structure now in place, we have put together a great team to meet the needs of our customers and our team members in our stores. I’m looking forward to the exceptional work we will do together,” he said.