SAN DIEGO, April 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --Petco today announced that Brad Weston, currently Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, has been named President, Unleashed by Petco. In this newly created and expanded role, Weston will drive all future strategy and operations for Unleashed by Petco, while continuing to lead merchandising for the Petco brand.
"Brad is a world-class retail executive who has consistently demonstrated both passion and effective leadership for our business, helping to improve the customer experience, drive product innovation, build talent and achieve results," Petco CEO Jim Myers said. "He's built a strong merchandising leadership team for Petco and we're confident in his ability to take on this additional responsibility to drive continued growth and differentiation for our Unleashed by Petco brand."
As a key component of Petco's focus on nurturing powerful relationships between people and pets, Unleashed by Petco is a smaller format neighborhood store that provides an ideal environment for increased community interactions and extends Petco's involvement in local animal-welfare efforts and community events. The stores provide a tailored assortment of mostly dog and cat products focused on natural foods and "Made in the USA" brands. Unleashed also offers a variety of services including dog training, vaccination clinics and pet parties, as well as grooming and self-service pet washing at select locations.
Petco introduced Unleashed by Petco in 2009, with the first store in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. Unleashed has since grown to more than 100 locations across the country, making it the fifth largest U.S. pet specialty chain if it were a stand-alone brand. In 2013 alone, a total of 38 new Unleashed stores were opened throughout the U.S.
Weston, a 25-year retail veteran, joined Petco in October 2011 as EVP, Chief Merchant and has worked closely with Petco's store operations team to drive product leadership and customer engagement strategies. Prior to joining Petco, Weston held various leadership positions in merchandising for other retailers, including Dick's Sporting Goods, Golf Galaxy and Robinsons-May.
Weston is based at Petco's corporate support center in San Diego, where the company was founded in 1965.
About Petco and the Petco Foundation
Petco is a leading pet specialty retailer that focuses on nurturing powerful relationships between people and pets. We do this by providing the products, services, advice and experiences that keep pets physically fit, mentally alert, socially engaged and emotionally happy. Everything we do is guided by our vision for Healthier Pets. Happier People. Better World. We operate more than 1,300 Petco locations across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, including more than 100 Unleashed by Petco locations, a smaller format neighborhood shop; nine Pooch Hotel destinations for pet daycare, boarding and spa services; and petco.com. The Petco Foundation, an independent nonprofit organization, has raised more than $125 million since it was created in 1999 to help promote and improve the welfare of companion animals. In conjunction with the Foundation, we work with and support thousands of local animal welfare groups across the country and, through in-store adoption events, help find homes for more than 400,000 animals every year.
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SOURCE Petco
