Big Lots has announced the appointment of two new executives with Margarita Giannantonio named chief merchandising officer and John Alpaugh chief marketing officer.
Giannantonio will shape and lead the company’s merchandising strategy across all product categories, the company stated. Before joining Big Lots, she spent the last decade with TJX Cos., most recently as senior vp and general merchandise manager of TJX Canada, where she led teams responsible for merchandise strategy and financial plans. Before that, Giannantonio held positions at Hudson’s Bay Co., multi-brand retailer Incredible Clothing Co., The House2/Stylekraft Sportswear and Hugo Boss Canada.
Alpaugh will manage the Big Lots brand and marketing strategies and executions, the company noted. Prior to accepting the Big Lots position, he was the CEO of CyberMark, a digital marketing solutions provider and, before that, Alpaugh spend 16 years with PetSmart in senior leadership roles across marketing, specialty merchandising and strategic planning, which culminated in four years as the senior vp and chief marketing officer.
“We’ve worked diligently to find the right thought and people leaders for these two roles, and Margarita and John emerged clearly from our searches as the right leaders to take us forward,” said Bruce Thorn, president and CEO, of Big Lots in announcing the appointments. “Working together, Margarita, John and their teams will shape how our customers experience our brand, and optimize our cross-channel offering of exceptional bargains, treasures and essentials.”
