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Stacia Andersen’s expansive retail career includes over 20 years working in merchandising at Target. Now, she’s the EVP and chief customer officer at PetSmart.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? My role is complex, but my job is simple: make sure that PetSmart puts the customer at the center of everything we do.
One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? I’m the unofficial dog referee of the office. I’m a proud pet parent to a Vizsla named Macallan and our chief merchandising officer, Kristin Shane, also has a Vizsla, Ruby. These dogs are known for their endless energy and come with us to the office most days. When Kristin and I are in meetings together, those two really tear it up. They run circles during our executive meetings and often I’m the only one who can settle them down if they get too distracting.
What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? We recently teamed up with renowned interior designers Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent on the Nate + Jeremiah x PetSmart Collection. It was so much fun to work with them to align their vision and design philosophy with our expertise in pet care to create something new that is every bit as functional as it is stylish. Together, we made a vegan leather couch for hamsters and it’s the best-selling item in the collection—it doesn’t get much better than that!
Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about this year, and why? The biggest trend impacting the industry is the challenging macroeconomic environment. And while this certainly doesn’t incite much excitement, it does challenge our team to think differently and to solve problems in new ways. The exciting part is watching how retailers respond to the current macroeconomic trends with agility and a customer-first mindset to create winning products and experiences. Our teams are hyper-focused on creating value for our pet parents.
What’s your go-to coffee order? I start every single morning with a chai tea latte—soy milk, no water, no foam.
Worst piece of advice you’ve received? The advice that just wasn’t “me.” No advice is bad; you just have to know what guidance is right for you. When I offer advice to people, I always tell them that this is just an example of what I would do. It’s on you to do with the information what feels authentic to you.
What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? My entire working life has been in retail and when I was a teenager, I worked at Gap. My absolute favorite retail product then is the same as it is now: denim.