Duane Reade VP merchandising leaves company

NEW YORK Drug Store News has learned that Mike Cirilli, VP merchandising at Duane Reade, has left the company after 16 years of service.

A company spokesperson has not yet been available for comment, and it is not immediately clear what the next chapter holds for the industry veteran.

While the Bronx, N.Y. native has held several titles throughout his career at the Manhattan-based retailer — including divisional merchandise manager — there’s no doubt that the bulk of Cirilli’s responsibilities have largely centered around the HBA/OTC categories. He has also been involved in the growth of the chain’s private label business.

Cirilli’s departure is one of several personnel changes that have taken place at Duane Reade in the recent months. Since taking the helm in March 2008, John Lederer has been retooling the management team by hiring several tenured executives to the merchandising, pharmacy and supply chain roles.

Joining the company is Paul Tiberio, senior director of category management, who will assume the leadership of all categories, effective immediately.

Tiberio joins Duane Reade from Shaw’s Supermarkets, where he was VP center store merchandising responsible for grocery, dairy, frozen, tobacco, general merchandise and corporate brands. Prior to Shaw’s, he was VP grocery merchandising at Winn-Dixie Stores, handling grocery, frozen, dairy, tobacco, seasonal and corporate brands.

In addition, Lee Colarco will assume the newly created position of VP merchandising, where she will be responsible for effective retail selling in the organization.

As previously reported by Drug Store News, in the second half of 2008, the company hired Joseph Magnacca, who had led marketing and merchandising initiatives at Shoppers Drug Mart since 2002, as senior vice president and chief merchandising officer. Magnacca filled a post that had been vacant due to the departure of David D’Arezzo.

Joining the company as SVP supply chain was Mark Scharbo. Scharbo had been the COO of Case-Mate, a provider of leather accessories for cell phones and other digital devices that he co-founded in 2005.

Duane Reade also tapped former Longs Drug Store executive Frank Scorpiniti to serve as SVP pharmacy operations, succeeding Jerry Ray, who resigned.