Vitamin Shoppe Gives Interim CEO the Job Permanently

The Vitamin Shoppe has named Lee Wright as its new CEO, a position he has held on an interim basis since January 2023. Prior to that, Wright was Chief Commercial Officer of Vitamin Shoppe’s parent company Franchise Group since January 2022, and he previously held C-level positions at Conn’s. Earlier this month, Franchise Group announced that it would be going private.

Additionally, current EVP and Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer Muriel Gonzalez has been named President of Vitamin Shoppe. Gonzalez joined Vitamin Shoppe in 2020 and has overseen merchandising, marketing, branding, content and creative, product development and private brand initiatives. During her career she has held senior roles at retailers including Macy’s, Bluemercury, Ann Taylor, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue.

The Vitamin Shoppe opened an all-new franchise location in Valparaiso, Ind. in February 2023, the first of a planned 12 such openings this year.

“I look forward to building on our growth strategy, including expanding on franchising, further developing our robust portfolio of private brands, and deepening relationships with our most productive partners,” said Wright in a statement. “Across our organization, I am committed to driving operational enhancements and marketing innovations to serve our communities with the highest quality products and industry-leading expertise and service.”