Sears executive jumps ship for party supplies specialty retailer

Party City has nabbed a 22-year retail veteran to head up its retail operations.



Party City Holdco Inc. announced that Ryan Vero has joined the company as executive VP of PCHI and president of Party City retail group. Vero, who will have full responsibility for all of Party City’s North American retail operations, including some 900 brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce, recently served as president, grocery and drugstore at Sears Holdings.

  

Prior to joining Sears, he spent 18 years at OfficeMax, most recently serving as its executive VP, chief merchandising and marketing officer.

  

In other changes, Gregg Melnick, president of PCHI, will be taking on new leadership responsibilities in several areas of our global business. Specifically he will assume overall responsibility to formulate, establish and execute the company’s long-term global strategy in the areas of information technology and global supply and logistics.



In addition, he will also assume responsibility for international wholesale and non-North American retail operations, focusing on the development and execution of our long-term growth strategy and furthering the Amscan business across key international markets.



“While we have enjoyed great success over the past 20 years building ourselves to be a leading wholesaler and retailer in our industry, I am truly excited that these changes will go a long way to ensuring our continued growth and success in the years ahead,” said James M. Harrison, CEO, Party City Holdco Inc.



Party City Holdco designs, manufactures, sources and distributes party goods, including paper and plastic tableware, metallic and latex balloons, Halloween and other costumes, accessories, novelties, gifts and stationery throughout the world. The company’s retail operations include over 900 specialty party supply stores throughout North America operating under the names Party City and Halloween City.