Walmart and Meijer Vet to Helm PetSmart

Academy Sports + Outdoors chief executive officer J.K. Symancyk will take over PetSmart effective June 11.The appointment ends PetSmart's long search for a replacement for former ceo Michael Massey, who resigned in August 2017 after two years at the retailer. Symancyk has helmed Academy Sports + Outdoors since 2015. Before that, he spent two years as president of Meijer, leading the mass merchant's expansion into Wisconsin. He started his career at Meijer in 2006 as general merchandise manager for fresh foods and advanced to executive vice president of merchandising and marketing and then chief operating officer. Prior to joining Meijer, Symancyk spent 12 years working in various merchandising positions at Walmart and Sam's Club.“[Symancyk] has a 25-year track record as a proven leader, and has driven profitable growth in large, multi-channel consumer businesses," PetSmart executive chairman Raymond Svider said in a media release. "[Symancyk] brings significant experience in managing complex retail operations, growing brands, improving operating performance and customer experience and delivering results. We look forward to working with and supporting [Symancyk] as he leads PetSmart forward on its transformational journey to be the most convenient, best-in-class pet retailer.”Symancyk takes the reigns as PetSmart continues to diversify its offerings in a bid to compete with channel rival Petco, e-commerce giant Amazon, and mass merchants and supermarkets that have expanded their pet departments. Recent moves have included the acquisition of e-tailer Chewy.com and subsequent consolidation of its e-commerce portfolio.“PetSmart is an iconic brand with a strong footprint in brick and mortar and digital," Symancyk said in the release. "I am looking forward to working with the talented management team to grow the business and to continue to fulfill the mission to be the trusted partner to pets and pet parents. This is an exciting and dynamic time for retail, and we will work together to create additional opportunities for growth and deliver the best and most convenient experience for our customers and their pets across all of PetSmart’s channels.”

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