Discounter on hunt for new chief merchandiser

The chief merchandising officer of Dollar General Corp. is retiring.



The retailer announced that James “Jim” W. Thorpe, executive VP and chief merchandising officer, will retire from Dollar General effective April 15, 2017. Dollar General said it has started a search for a successor and will consider both internal and external candidates for the job.



Thorpe joined Dollar General in 2006 and served as its VP and general merchandise manager until July 2012. He returned to Dollar General as executive VP and CMO in August 2015. Prior to Dollar General, Thorpe served in merchandising leadership positions with Sears Holdings Corporation and in marketing roles with Zenith Data Systems and MAXIMA Corporation.



“Jim’s strong understanding of our core customer and passion for our business have been instrumental in driving innovation in our merchandising initiatives,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s CEO. “When Jim rejoined the company in 2015, we agreed upon a clear set of objectives for his tenure as CMO. As I knew he would, Jim has delivered on the merchandising strategies we identified as our highest priorities. I’m grateful for his contributions and wish Jim and his family the best in the future.”