Walgreens has recently strengthened its leadership team with two significant appointments, indicating a strategic shift in its retail and digital commerce operations. Tracey Koller has been appointed as Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandise Officer, while Sharmila Sudhakar takes on the role of Group Vice President and Head of Digital Commerce. This move highlights Walgreens’ commitment to improving front-store operations in light of recent challenges, including plans to close up to 2,150 stores over the next three years.

Koller comes from Party City, where she served as Chief Merchandising Officer, and has extensive experience with prestigious brands such as Whole Foods and Target. Her role will focus on advancing Walgreens’ merchandising strategy, particularly in health and beauty, alongside evaluating product assortments to align with consumer needs. Koller stated, “Walgreens has built immense trust in communities across the US, and it’s thrilling to join at this critical juncture.”

Sudhakar, previously with Tailored Brands, brings two decades of e-commerce expertise from major retailers like Walmart and eBay. She will drive growth in Walgreens’ digital revenue across various services, including retail products and health services. “With a rich 125-year heritage, Walgreens is uniquely positioned to deepen customer engagement,” she remarked.

These leadership changes are crucial as Walgreens navigates a transformation aimed at enhancing its relevance in a rapidly changing market. The giant operates nearly 9,000 locations across the U.S. and is listed sixth on Progressive Grocer’s 2024 PG 100 of top food retailers. As the company refines its operations, the new appointments signal a robust approach to meeting evolving consumer demands within the healthcare and retail sectors.