Montini returns to Rite Aid; Learish, others promoted - News - Enior Montini - John Learish - Robby Roberson

CAMP HILL, Pa. -- Rite Aid has fine-tuned its merchandising department, bringing back into the fold 25-year drug store retailing veteran Enio "Tony" Montini, naming him senior vice president of category management.

Montini was vice president of purchasing for two years at Rite Aid in the late 1980s. He most recently served as senior vice president and general merchandise manager of the drug store business at Kmart. Prior to Kmart, Montini served as senior vice president of sales for Leiner Health Products.

At Rite Aid, Montini will be responsible for product selection, as well as merchandising and pricing, and will report to Jim Mastrian, maestro of the front-end improvement at Rite Aid and senior executive vice president of marketing and logistics.

"Tony brings a wealth of retail experience to Rite Aid, as well as firsthand knowledge of all aspects of the chain drug store business," Mastrian said.

Rite Aid also announced Oct. 10 several other promotions. John Learish, who also reports to Mastrian, was named senior vice president of marketing. tie was vice president of marketing. Jim Pilsner was named vice president of advertising. He was previously director of advertising. Pilsner reports to Learish.

Robby Roberson was promoted from director of strategic planning, supply chain, to the newly created position of vice president of logistics services. Roberson will manage supply chain systems development and logistics engineering. He reports to Wilson Lester, senior vice president, supply chain.

Rite Aid continues to show front-end improvement, which the chain credits to more efficient merchandising. The No. 3 drug chain posted a strong front-end comparable-store sales gain in Septemeber--showing a 4.4 percent gain and besting CVS and Walgreens (which gains of 0.4 percent and 1.7 percent, respectively).

Rite Aid also is trying to paint a brightened pharmacy picture for its patrons in several key markets--one that depicts Rite Aid as the destination center for all health-related concerns. Earlier this month, Rite Aid provided free health screenings, in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Portland, Ore., Seattle and its hometown of Harrisburg, Pa.

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