Kinney Drugs shuffles merchandise dept. executives

GOUVERNEUR, N.Y. Kinney Drugs is realigning its merchandise department as part of a long-range plan to support the company’s growth, the regional retail pharmacy chain announced Friday.

Kinney VP merchandising Richard Cognetti Jr. said Cheri Taylor would be promoted to division manager of health and beauty care, while Mike Hatch would become division manager of general merchandise. The two will be responsible for creating sales and promotional strategies, ensuring sales and gross margin goals are met and developing category management practices, the company said.

“Cheri and Mike have over 45 years of combined category management experience,” Cognetti said in a statement. “This experience will serve the company well in their new leadership roles. They will drive our purchasing decisions, advertising content, merchandise presentation efforts and continue to build relationships within the vendor community.”