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Rite Aid promotes Andre Persaud to chief retail officer

Food and drug channel veteran to head pharmacy chain’s retail operations

Russell Redman

June 14, 2021

2 Min Read
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Andre Persaud’s 25-plus years of retail experience span grocery, pharmacy, off-price apparel and beauty care, among other sectors.Rite Aid

Longtime food and drug retail executive Andre Persaud has been elevated to the newly created role of chief retail officer at Rite Aid.

Camp Hill, Pa.-based Rite Aid said Monday that Persaud, previously executive vice president of retail, will lead the drug chain’s retail operations, which encompass more than 2,500 stores in 17 states.

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Rite Aid noted that Persaud (left) has overseen inventory and supply chain management, field team management, store operations, asset protection, and facility maintenance and repairs since joining the company in February 2020 from Wakefern Food Corp. He also has managed the development of COVID-19 health and safety procedures and protocols for customers and associates.

“Andre has not only proven an effective leader for our retail organization, but also provides a strategic and steady leadership voice in times of crisis and change,” President and CEO Heyward Donigan said in a statement. “During a challenging year, Andre led the development and implementation of new, elevated operations brand standards that align the in-store customer experience with our whole health focus.”

Persaud’s 25-plus years of retail experience span grocery, pharmacy, off-price apparel and beauty care, among other sectors. As executive vice president of retail for Rite Aid, he was charged with devising new in-store experiences and retail operations processes in line with the company’s RxEvolution strategy.

Related:CVS, Rite Aid up the ante in same-day delivery

Before that, Persaud served as an executive consultant to grocery cooperative Wakefern, executive vice president of retail at Shopko and senior vice president of store operations for Burlington Stores. His career also includes roles as senior vice president of central operations and merchandising for Loblaw Cos. and various senior operational posts at Shoppers Drug Mart. He began his career as a pharmacist and served in leadership positions of rising importance, eventually leading drug store operations for Walmart Canada.

“Andre’s background in pharmacy and retail have made him an invaluable asset to Rite Aid,” said Jim Peters, chief operating officer, Rite Aid. “Andre’s commitment to enhancing Rite Aid’s retail experience has been and will continue to be a differentiator for our company as we continue to execute our RxEvolution strategy.”

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About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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