Walgreens focuses on stores and omnichannel push as it boosts retail and customer experience team

Walgreens has appointed Tracey Koller as Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer, and Sharmila Sudhakar as Group Vice President and Head of Walgreens Digital Commerce.

It says that this will significantly contribute to its efforts with regard to the turnaround of the business as the company focuses on enhancing the front of store and omnichannel experience for its customers while driving in-store efficiencies.

“Our retail pharmacy business is uniquely positioned to expand the role we play in the lives of our patients who have come to expect and need retail pharmacy at the centre of their care,” says Tracey Brown, Executive Vice President and President, Walgreens Retail and Chief Customer Officer.

“To do this, we are investing in the industry’s best talent, which includes the addition of Tracey and Sharmila to the Walgreens leadership team.”

“With their strong track records of delivering results in omnichannel solutions and merchandising, I know they will be critical contributors to our growth and success as we deliver an efficient, highly relevant customer experience.”

Most recently, Koller was Chief Merchandising Officer at Party City. She brings more than 30 years of experience and a track record in omnichannel merchandising and operations at organisations including News Corp, Whole Foods and Target.

“I am amazed by the trust Walgreens has built in communities across the US and the impact the company has on the millions of lives it touches each day,” she says.

“It’s an exciting time to join the Walgreens merchandising organisation as the company sharpens its focus as a destination for areas it is uniquely positioned to lead, such as health and beauty and women's health, while also reevaluating its assortment to ensure its relevancy, leveraging select partners and Walgreens own brands.”

Sudhakar will be responsible for driving digitally initiated revenue growth across various business lines, including retail products, pharmacy, photo services and health services and strengthening digital engagement through omnichannel solutions.

In this role, she will lead the end-to-end digital team including digital planning and operations, partnerships, product management and analytics.

She joins from Tailored Brands, where she served in a number of leadership positions, most recently as Vice President/General Manager of the North America e-commerce business for The Men’s Wearhouse and Moores.

She brings more than 20 years of experience developing cohesive omni-channel assortments that reflect market trends and customer needs, launching and optimising compelling omnichannel customer journeys and driving quality traffic through performance marketing channels for brands including Walmart, Tile, Gap Incorporated and eBay.

“With a 125 year heritage, Walgreens has earned the right to engage with customers and patients in a way few others can rival, and it’s exciting to join at a pivotal time in the company’s history,” she says.

“I look forward to working with the highly talented team at Walgreens to accelerate our digital and omnichannel offerings that meet our customers when, where and how they want to engage.”