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Walgreens, Rite Aid announce key leadership appointments

Richard Ashworth named Walgreens president; Andre Persaud joins Rite Aid to lead retail operations

Russell Redman

February 6, 2020

3 Min Read
Walgreens_store.png
Richard Ashworth has worked at Walgreens for 28 years and was previously president of operations.Walgreens

Two of the nation’s largest food and drug retailers, Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) and Rite Aid, have made key retail appointments.

WBA said yesterday that Richard Ashworth has been promoted to president of Walgreens. The day before, Rite Aid announced that drug and mass retail veteran Andre Persaud has joined the company as executive vice president of retail.

Richard_Ashworth-Walgreens.pngA 28-year Walgreens veteran, Ashworth (left) previously served as president of operations. He has held a variety of leadership posts during his career at the Deerfield, Ill.-based drug chain, overseeing pharmacy, health care commercial, retail and other segments. He also serves as vice chairman of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores and is slated to become NACDS chairman in April.

“We are pleased to have Richard lead the Walgreens business, and lead the charge as we create the Walgreens of the future,” WBA Executive Vice Chairman and CEO Stefano Pessina said in a statement. “His experience will be incredibly valuable as we continue to accelerate our ongoing transformation to best meet the needs of our customers, communities and team members.”

Ashworth assumes the Walgreens president title from WBA co-chief operating officer Alex Gourlay, who has served as president of Walgreens since 2014. With the change, Gourlay will sharpen his focus on his role as co-COO of Walgreens Boots Alliance. Ashworth reports to Gourlay. Walgreens has nearly 9,300 stores nationwide.

Related:Kroger, Walgreens form group purchasing organization

“I would also like to thank Alex for his leadership and dedication through a pivotal time, following the formation of Walgreens Boots Alliance, and most recently into a period of rapid change across pharmacy and retail,” Pessina added. “He will continue in a key, global role as a member of my leadership team, advancing our health and wellness strategy while working closely with Richard.”

Rite_Aid_wellness_store_Harrisburg_PA.png

Wakefern veterans Andre Persaud will oversee retail operations at the chain’s more than 2,400 locations.

Andre_Persaud-Rite_Aid.pngMeanwhile, Persaud (left) comes to Rite Aid after most recently serving as an executive consultant to grocery cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. As executive VP of retail operations for the chain’s more than 2,400 locations, he will oversee inventory and supply-chain management, field team management, store operations, asset protection, and facility maintenance and repairs.

“I’m thrilled to join Rite Aid at such a pivotal moment in the company’s history,” Persaud stated. “Customer expectations of retail pharmacies are rapidly changing. They want a more engaged health-and-wellness experience, more relevant, curated merchandise, and a seamless retail experience. I look forward to working with the Rite Aid team to deliver on these expectations.”

Related:Rite Aid names Heyward Donigan as new CEO

Persaud’s 25-plus years of retail experience span grocery, pharmacy, off-price apparel and beauty care, among others. Prior to Wakefern, he served as executive VP retail at Shopko and, before that, as senior VP of store operations for Burlington Stores. His career also includes roles as senior VP of central operations and merchandising for Loblaw Cos. and in various senior operational leadership roles at Shoppers Drug Mart. He began his career as a pharmacist and served in progressive leadership roles to eventually lead drug store operations for Walmart Canada.

“Andre has demonstrated proven success when it comes to leading a transformational retail strategy,” commented Rite Aid CEO Heyward Donigan. “The company has many exciting growth initiatives planned for 2020 and beyond. With Andre on board, we will move quickly to build on existing Rite Aid customer loyalty and implement a compelling, go-forward retail vision.”

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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