Sinclair named head merchant at 99 Cents Only

Growth prospects for the food and consumables business at 99 Cents Only just improved considerably following the appointment of a former Walmart EVP of merchandising to a key role.

Jack Sinclair was named chief merchandising officer at 99 Cents Only in a move that signals the retailer’s growth aspirations. Sinclair left Walmart earlier this year as part of larger senior leadership change but not until after he had spent seven years leading Walmart’s U.S. grocery business as executive vice president of merchandising. Prior to Walmart, Sinclair spent 14 years at U.K.-based Safeway holding a variety of merchandising, marketing and operations roles.

With 384 stores in California, Texas, Arizona and Nevada, 99 Cents Only is a fraction the size of Walmart, but the retailer was once thought to have nationwide growth potential before stumbling with expansion efforts and financial issues in the past.

"Jack's significant experience in retail merchandising will be an asset to 99 Cents Only Stores as we continue to improve the execution of our core business plan that emphasizes a strong mix of seasonal, grocery, and close-out products," Giancamilli said. "His deep knowledge of the grocery and fresh food category will be particularly valuable, given the importance of these categories to our customers and for driving traffic in our stores."

Sinclair’s is the second former Walmart executive to be named to a key role 99 Cents Only in the past month. In late June, the retailer named Michael Fung CFO. Fung and Sinclair worked together at Walmart where Fung served as CFO of the Walmart U.S. division from 2006 until 2012.

The next key hire for 99 Cents Only is likely to be a CEO. The top job is currently filled by board member Andy Giancamilli who was named interim CEO in late May after former CEO Stephane Gonthier resigned.