Vitamin Shoppe names CEO
An executive from a luxury chocolate brand has been tapped to lead a retailer that specializes in nutritional products.
Vitamin Shoppe announced that it has appointed Sharon M. Leite as CEO, effective August 27, 2018. She will also become a member of the board. Most recently, Leite served as president of Godiva Chocolatier in North America, a position she has held since October 2017.
Vitamin Shoppe has been on the hunt for a new CEO since February, when it announced that CEO Colin Watts would leave the company “by mutual agreement.” His departure followed the chain’s disappointing performance in 2017, with sales down nearly 12%.
Prior to Godiva, Leite was the president of Sally Beauty, U.S. and Canada, an international specialty retailer and distributor of professional beauty products with over 3,000 stores. She also spent close to a decade at Pier 1 Imports, with her last position in 2016 as executive VP of sales, customer experience, & real estate.
Earlier in her career, Leite held various executive leadership roles at Bath and Body Works as well as various sales and operations positions with other retailers including Gap Inc., The Walt Disney Company and Express.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to have such a talented executive as our new CEO. Sharon's broad experience and impressive track record makes her an ideal choice to lead both our turnaround and future growth,” said Vitamin Shoppe chairman Alex Smith.
The Vitamin Shoppe conducts business through more than 775 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements retail banners, and through its website.
Vitamin Shoppe announced that it has appointed Sharon M. Leite as CEO, effective August 27, 2018. She will also become a member of the board. Most recently, Leite served as president of Godiva Chocolatier in North America, a position she has held since October 2017.
Vitamin Shoppe has been on the hunt for a new CEO since February, when it announced that CEO Colin Watts would leave the company “by mutual agreement.” His departure followed the chain’s disappointing performance in 2017, with sales down nearly 12%.
Prior to Godiva, Leite was the president of Sally Beauty, U.S. and Canada, an international specialty retailer and distributor of professional beauty products with over 3,000 stores. She also spent close to a decade at Pier 1 Imports, with her last position in 2016 as executive VP of sales, customer experience, & real estate.
Earlier in her career, Leite held various executive leadership roles at Bath and Body Works as well as various sales and operations positions with other retailers including Gap Inc., The Walt Disney Company and Express.
"On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are excited to have such a talented executive as our new CEO. Sharon's broad experience and impressive track record makes her an ideal choice to lead both our turnaround and future growth,” said Vitamin Shoppe chairman Alex Smith.
The Vitamin Shoppe conducts business through more than 775 company-operated retail stores under The Vitamin Shoppe and Super Supplements retail banners, and through its website.