Dollar Tree hires two Dollar General veterans
Dollar Tree has made two big additions to its executive leadership team.
The discounter named Larry Gatta as chief merchandising officer, and John Flanigan as chief supply chain officer, for its Family Dollar banner. Both are former executives of rival Dollar General Inc.
The appointments come as Dollar Tree is expanding its combo-store format, which leverages the strengths of both its banners under one roof. In March, the company said it plans to 190 Dollar Tree stores and 400 Family Dollar stores and in fiscal 2022, with 350 of the new Family Dollar stores in the combo format,
Larry Gatta
Gatta brings more than 35 years of retail industry and marketing experience. Most recently (from 2014 until present), served as senior VP and general merchandise manager for consumables at Dollar General. He joined the chain in 2009.
Prior to Dollar General, Gatta was senior VP and chief marketing officer at Longs Drug Stores until it was acquired by CVS, He previously held leadership roles at Rite Aid Corp. and Phar-Mor Corporation.
“In the current economic climate, households need Family Dollar to provide value and convenience to help stretch their budgets,” Gatta said. “I will be focused on improving the banner’s productivity and improved operating performance through sales-driving initiatives, margin-enhancements, and leveraging our cost components.”
John Flanigan
Flanigan joined Dollar General in May 2008 and served as executive VP of global supply chain from March 2010 until April 2016. Prior to Dollar General, he was group VP of logistics and distribution for Longs Drug Stores Corp. from October 2005 to April 2008.
Before Longs, he was VP of logistics for Safeway Inc.
“Mike Witynski [Dollar Tree CEO] and I share a common vision to improve the organization’s supply chain performance through improved distribution center conditions, hiring and retention of teams, and efficiency improvements throughout the supply chain - from our suppliers to our store shelves,” stated Flanigan. “My focus will be on leading productivity improvements across the Logistics function through use of data, analytics, process improvements and automation.”
In a statement, Witynsk said that driving supply chain efficiencies and improving the operating performance of the Family Dollar banner are important elements to long-term value creation for it shareholders.
“Both John and Larry have decades of experience and are proven leaders in small-box value retail and I am extremely pleased to welcome them to our team,” he said. “In their leadership roles, they will each be key components to our success in the next chapter of our company’s growth, especially as it relates to improved performance, efficiencies, and shopper and associate experiences, in our Family Dollar stores and throughout our supply chain.”
Dollar Tree operated 16,077 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces as of January 29, 2022. Stores operate under the brands of Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar Tree Canada.