Walgreens names Linda Filler president retail products and chief merchandising officer

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens on Thursday announced that Linda Filler has been named president retail products and chief merchandising officer effective Jan. 1 in a letter to suppliers. 

 

"[Linda] has great experience across the industry, and I know she will bring strong leadership to the work we have already begun with you and our other vendors," Alex Gourlay, EVP of customer experience and daily living and president elect of Walgreens, wrote. "Linda will be responsible for the vision, leadership, strategic direction and performance of all Walgreens merchandising activities."

 

Filler was most recently president of Claire’s Stores, one of the world’s leading specialty retailers of fashionable jewelry and accessories for young women, teens, tweens and girls. Claire’s operates more than 3,000 stores in 17 countries throughout North America and Europe and also franchises nearly 450 stores in 30 countries primarily in the Middle East, Central and Southeast Asia and Central and South America. 

 

Prior to Claire’s, Filler — at the time, Linda Hefner — was EVP and chief merchandising officer for Sam’s Club, a division of Wal-Mart Stores, where she led the owned brand strategy. She also held executive vice president positions at Walmart and Kraft Foods Group, and leadership positions of increasing responsibility at Hanes Brands in the Sara Lee Corporation.

 

"Linda brings to Walgreens significant experience in merchandising, marketing and strategy in a variety of industries," Gourlay added. "With her deep experience across a broad range of product lines, Linda has the expertise to understand what our customers want and to innovate quickly to create an experience that drives loyalty and results. She has considerable global experience as we anticipate closing Step 2 of our strategic partnership with Alliance Boots in the first quarter of calendar 2015, and I believe you will appreciate her natural, collaborative approach to work."

 

Filler received both her bachelor of science degree and master of science degree in accounting in 1982 from North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) and her master of business administration from Harvard Business School in 1989.