Dollar General brings retired chief merchant back into the fold

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General on Friday announced that Jim Thorpe has rejoined the company as EVP and chief merchandising officer effective immediately. Thorpe brings 24 years of merchandising experience to the position — including more than six years with Dollar General, where he served as SVP and general merchandise manager from May 2006 until his retirement in July 2012.

 

"Jim is an accomplished merchant who has a strong understanding of our core customer and a passion for our business. Given his proven track record, we are excited for him to return to Dollar General," stated Todd Vasos, Dollar General CEO. "The addition of Jim helps strengthen our leadership team so that we can focus on capturing growth opportunities at an accelerated pace." 

 

The company also announced that David D'Arezzo, EVP and chief merchandising officer, has departed effective August 6, 2015.

 

"I would like to thank Dave for his contributions to Dollar General over the last 20 months. I wish him the best in his future endeavors," Vasos said.

 

Prior to Dollar General, Thorpe served in various positions of increasing importance and responsibility with Sears Holdings from 1991 to 2006 where his last position was VP and general merchandise manager—hard home of Sears Home Group. Prior to Sears, he worked as a marketing program manager for Zenith Data Systems. He began his career in 1981 at The MAXIMA Corporation, where he held various project administration and analyst positions. Following his retirement from Dollar General in July 2012, Thorpe was President of JW Thorpe & Associates.

 

Thorpe holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth and an MBA from the University of Illinois - Chicago.