PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.,
Alvord brings with him 25 years of department store and discount store merchandising experience, including his most recent stint as Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager for Home and Hardlines at Omaha-based Pamida Stores. In his role at PETCO, Alvord will be responsible for merchandising, marketing and sales of all consumables, including dog and cat food, cat litter as well as pet furniture.
"As a pet lover, I'm elated to join PETCO," Alvord said. "This company provides me an opportunity to focus closely on critical business initiatives in the specialty store environment."
Alvord added that he was looking forward to "continuing to enhance the customers' shopping experience at PETCO, by working with our merchant team and vendor partners to provide great products and great values for our selling floors."
Bill Lechtner, PETCO's Vice President and GMM said, "Jim brings a great deal of retail experience to the table, along with a strong commitment to excelling in merchandising. His love for his own pets will also be a tremendous asset."
Alvord will report directly to Lechtner.
He and his wife, Ana, are originally from Miami, Florida, and have also lived in Arizona, Connecticut and throughout the Midwest. Their family includes two daughters, a son, a Keeshond named Ralph and a cat named Figaro.
PETCO is a leading specialty retailer of premium pet food and supplies. PETCO's strategy is to offer its customers a complete assortment of pet- related products at competitive prices, with superior levels of customer service at convenient locations. PETCO generated net sales of $1.3 billion in the fiscal year ended February 2, 2002. It operates more than 580 neighborhood stores in 42 states and the District of Columbia, as well as a leading destination for on-line pet food and supplies at http://www.petco.com/ . The PETCO Foundation, PETCO's non-profit organization, has raised more than $8 million since inception in 1999. More than 700 non-profit grassroots animal welfare organizations from around the nation have received support from the Foundation.
SOURCE: PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.
CONTACT: Don Cowan, +1-858-657-2086,
+1-858-909-4662,
Web site: http://www.petco.com/
