Dive Brief:
- Dollar General has appointed Steve Deckard as its executive vice president of strategy and development to oversee the company’s national store expansion, corporate-wide process improvements and its strategic initiatives, the retailer announced Wednesday.
- The company also promoted Tracey Herrmann to executive vice president of store operations, placing her in charge of the company’s more than 20,000 locations in 48 states.
- Both Deckard and Herrmann’s roles were effective as of Saturday.
Dive Insight:
Dollar General’s new leadership appointments prove the discount retailer is continuing to focus on stores.
Deckard, who previously served as Dollar General’s executive vice president of store operations and development, has been with the retailer since 2006. In his most recent role, Deckard oversaw the retailer’s operations team, which included its stores, Mi Súper Dollar General in Mexico, corporate store operations, asset protection and real estate. He also previously led the company’s expansion into Mexico and oversaw initiatives, including Popshelf, as the company’s executive vice president of growth and emerging markets.
Deckard “played a critical role in the strategic expansion into Mexico as our first international market,” Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “I am confident his extensive knowledge of our business and its operations make him uniquely qualified for this new role.”
Herrmann most recently served as the company’s senior vice president of store operations leading three divisions of stores in the Southeast. Herrmann also previously oversaw strategy and operations for Popshelf stores as senior vice president of channel innovation.
Last year, the company continued growing its store count until it reached a critical milestone: opening its 20,000th store. The discount retailer also engaged in nearly 2,400 real estate projects, with plans to open around 800 new stores, remodel 1,500 locations and relocate 85 stores.
However, the retailer reduced its use of temporary warehouses. In its third-quarter earnings report, the company said it exited four temporary warehouses as part of its efforts to improve its supply chain. The company previously left 11 temporary warehouse facilities.
Dollar General has made other notable leadership changes lately as it executes on its brick-and-mortar expansion. In December, the company appointed Tom Hutchins as its senior vice president of technology and Kevin Pinchon as its senior vice president of distribution.
In its latest earnings report, the retailer reported a 5% increase in net sales year over year to $10.2 billion, while net income fell 29% from last year to $196.5 million. Comparable sales saw a 1.3% bump compared to the year-ago quarter.