PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 27, 2014) — Automotive aftermarket service and retail chain Pep Boys – Manny, Moe & Jack has appointed John J. Kelly senior vice president and chief merchandising officer.
Mr. Kelly will be responsible for all aspects of Pep Boys' merchandising operations, including supply chain and visual presentation, according to the Philadelphia-based company, which added that he is expected to start March 3.
Mr. Kelly brings more than 30 years of merchandising experience in both hard and soft lines as well as brick-and-mortar and online merchandising. He has held leadership positions at QVC, Circuit City, Sharp Electronics and Macy's, Pep Boys said, and most recently served as the president of Decible, a start-up electronics joint-venture.
Mike Odell, Pep Boys president and CEO, said Mr. Kelly “completes our new executive leadership team at Pep Boys. His broad merchandising experience coupled with his knowledge of cars and trucks as a consumer is a perfect fit for Pep Boys.
“He understands each of our customer segments, including how to broaden our assortments for both service customers and enthusiasts.”
In a Pep Boys press release, Mr. Kelly said that “as chief merchant, I have the opportunity to apply my merchandising experience to my lifelong passion for cars that began as a youth in my family's auto shop and has grown into multiple car club memberships.”
Mr. Odell added that the company is “now poised to fully deliver on our Road Ahead strategy. The investments we are making in our stores, our people and our merchandise will make Pep Boys the best place to shop and care for your car.”
Pep Boys operates more than 7,500 service bays in 800 locations in 35 states and Puerto Rico.