Home Depot Marketing Ad Chief Adds Merchandising D
Atlanta, GA, August 5--Home improvement retailer Home Depot Inc. on Monday named marketing chief John Costello to replace Jerry Edwards, who is retiring as executive vice president of merchandising.
Edwards, 61, who delayed his retirement when Chairman Robert Nardelli joined the retailer in 2000, came to Home Depot in 1991. He will stay to advise Nardelli over the next year.
Under Edwards, Home Depot centralized merchandising, going from nine buying offices to one, the company said. It also secured exclusive partnership agreements, such as one to sell Deere & Co. tractors.
Home Depot, facing stiff competition as rival Lowe's Cos. Inc. moves into big cities, is investing heavily in store remodeling, new merchandise, marketing and technology.
Costello, 56, becomes executive vice president for merchandising and marketing. Costello, who joined Home Depot late last year, unveiled a national advertising campaign in February that focuses on services that Home Depot offers.
Costello, who helped design the "Softer Side of Sears" campaign in the 1990s, has also increased marketing to women and minorities.
