Keptner will be responsible for all aspects of marketing and merchandising.

CAMP HILL, PA. — Rite Aid Corp. announced on Thursday that Erik Keptner, a proven leader with more than 20 years’ experience in retail marketing, has been named to the newly created position of senior vice president and chief marketing and merchandising officer, effective June 24, 2019.

In this position, Keptner will be responsible for all aspects of marketing and merchandising. He will report to Bryan Everett, Rite Aid’s chief operating officer.

“Erik is an experienced retail executive who has proven that he can integrate and manage all aspects of an organization’s marketing and merchandising assets to provide great customer experiences, operate efficiently and deliver growth,” said Everett. “We’re excited to welcome Erik to our team as we continue to integrate our marketing and merchandising teams and enhance our omni-channel presence to deliver a seamlessly connected customer experience that drives growth. We will benefit tremendously from his knowledge and expertise as we accelerate these critical efforts.”

Keptner most recently served as senior vice president of marketing for Keasbey, N.J.,-based Wakefern Food Corp., the nation’s largest retailer-owned cooperative with member companies that own and operate supermarkets. In this role, he led digital commerce and analytics, advertising, corporate merchandising, own brands and digital media.

Prior to that, he had a 20-year career with Ahold Delhaize and its Giant Food Stores Division. There, he served in various roles of increasing responsibility including executive vice president of marketing and senior vice president of sales, marketing and merchandising. While in these roles, Keptner led efforts to enhance the company’s loyalty program, accelerate digital marketing and e-commerce, evolve store formats and merchandising programs, and create a culture focused on making consumer-centric data-driven decisions.

Keptner holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Penn State University and an MBA from Temple University.

Bill Renz, senior vice president of category management, who has also been leading the marketing team as the company transitioned to a new organizational structure, will continue to play a key role in leading the Rite Aid category management and merchandising teams