PetSmart Welcomes Jesica Duarte as New Executive Vice President

PetSmart Welcomes Jesica Duarte

In a significant leadership role, PetSmart has appointed Jesica Duarte as its Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. A renowned figure in the retail sector, Duarte will be tasked with spearheading PetSmart's merchandising, marketing, and digital efforts. This strategic appointment comes at a critical time as PetSmart aims to solidify its position as the preferred pet retailer in North America.

Accelerating Growth and Enhancing Experience

Duarte's role encompasses overseeing various departments including proprietary brands and merchandise planning, all designed to enhance customer experiences and boost market share. Ken Hicks, the President and CEO of PetSmart, highlighted Duarte's impressive track record and strategic mindset, emphasizing her capability to drive transformation and achieve impressive business outcomes. "Jesica is a strategic and growth-minded leader, with an impressive career tenure working across successful retail brands," he stated.

A Wealth of Experience

With over three decades of leadership experience, Duarte has cultivated a wealth of expertise across various renowned brands within retail, grocery, beauty, and food and beverage. Her most recent position was as Group Vice President of National Merchandising at Albertsons Companies. Prior to that, she dedicated nearly twelve years to Walmart, occupying pivotal leadership roles such as Vice President of Private Brands and Chief Merchandising & Marketing Officer for Walmart Chile. Her impressive background also includes key merchandising and marketing positions at notable companies such as Molson Coors Beverage Company, Beam Suntory, Estee Lauder, and J.C. Penney.

Embracing a Unique Community

Duarte expressed her enthusiasm about joining PetSmart during this transformative period: "This is an exciting time at PetSmart, and I'm thrilled to be joining this impressive team. PetSmart has such a special and unique community of associates, pet parents, and pets all sharing the same passion. I'm looking forward to contributing to PetSmart’s mission and bringing together my passion for merchandising and marketing."

A Commitment to Community

A native of Chile, Duarte is an MBA graduate from Georgetown University and holds a Bachelor's degree in Business and Economics from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. Besides her professional endeavors, she is a passionate advocate for the Hispanic community and has served as the Chair of the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

PetSmart, recognized as North America's leading omni-channel pet retailer, continues to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of pet owners. With nearly 1,700 locations across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, it emphasizes a seamless shopping experience, merging physical and digital capabilities for customer convenience. Its commitment to supporting both pets and their owners extends to robust services, including grooming, veterinary care, and training, alongside initiatives aimed at animal welfare.

Furthermore, PetSmart's Treats Rewards loyalty program enhances the shopping experience, offering personalized value to pet parents while supporting the company’s long-standing mission of fostering joy in pet ownership. With the recent appointment of Jesica Duarte, PetSmart is poised for an exciting journey toward further success and community service.

For more information about PetSmart's offerings and initiatives, visit PetSmart.com.