Sears/Kmart names Vero to top merchant role

Former OfficeMax executive Ryan Vero has been named SVP and president of grocery, drug and pharmacy at Sears Holdings.

Vero spent 17 years with OfficeMax and last served as the company’s EVP and chief merchandising and marketing officer. In his new role with Sears Holdings, Vero will be responsible for the oversight, leadership and growth, both in-store and online, for the company’s grocery, drug and pharmacy businesses.

"Ryan’s breadth and depth of experience in both stores and online make him a terrific fit to lead these very important businesses at our company," said Ron Boire, Sears Holdings’ EVP, chief merchandising officer and president of Sears and Kmart formats. "Ryan is a proven executive who focuses on customers and innovation, two key qualities that support our drive to be the leader in integrated retail."

Vero distinguished himself while at OfficeMax through the development of innovative marketing campaigns, store formats and private brands that enabled the company to overtake Office Depot as the nation’s second leading office products retailer behind Staples. He will bring some fresh thinking to Sears Holdings regarding how the company can invigorate its brand, generate customer traffic and provide a differentiated multichannel experience to drive much need same store growth.

"I am excited about the opportunity to join Sears Holdings and provide our customers and Members greater value in all areas of health and wellness while serving them at over 920 pharmacy locations nationwide," Vero said.

Sears Holdings currently operates roughly 2,600 full-line and specialty retail stores in the United States and Canada and provides a loyalty program called ShopYourWay that allows members to earn points and receive benefits across a wide variety of physical and digital formats.