Rite Aid Chief Retail Officer Andre Persaud has left the company in an additional high-level executive departure following a tough third quarter.
Although it is not providing much in the way of details, Rite Aid issued a statement that said Persaud “is no longer with the company. We appreciate his years of service to Rite Aid and wish him the best in his next endeavor. Bill Miller, senior vice president, central retail operations, will serve as acting head of retail operations, according to Rita Aid.
In January, Rite Aid announced the departure of Heyward Donigan, president, CEO and a board member. The company at the time named Elizabeth “Busy” Burr interim CEO and initiated a search to identify a permanent CEO. Burr is a Rite Aid board member. She previously was president and chief commercial officer of Carrot Inc., and she held leadership positions at Humana, Citigroup, eBay, Credit Suisse and Gap, according to Rite Aid.
The announcement of Donigan’s departure followed shortly after Rite Aid announced a third-quarter loss and lower revenue.
On March 16, Rite Aid stated in a filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission that Paul Gilbert gave the company notice of his intent to resign as executive vice president, chief legal officer and secretary “to pursue other opportunities.” Gilbert agreed to remain with Rite Aid during a transition period, acceding to the company.
Rite aid promoted Persaud to chief retail officer in June of 2021. He had been executive vice president, retail for Rite Aid from February 2020. Persaud was an executive consultant to Wakefern Food Corp. prior to joining Rite Aid. He has held leadership positions at ShopKo, Burlington Stores, Loblaw Cos., Shoppers Drug Mart and Walmart Canada, according to Rite Aid.
