Dollar General taps Thorpe for soft lines

BY Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 5/8/2006 12:05:00 PM

Goodlettsville, Tenn. — Dollar General has appointed James Thorpe to senior vp and general merchandise manager of seasonal, home and apparel. Along with Rita Branham, a Dollar General veteran who was promoted in March to senior vp and gmm of consumables, Thorpe will help develop and direct merchandising strategies for the company.

Both Branham and Thorpe report to Beryl Buley, division president of merchandising, marketing and supply chain. Thorpe's appointment is effective May 15. He previously served as vp, gmm of hard home for Sears Holding Corp.

"Jim comes to us with exceptional skills and experience in an important merchandise area for Dollar General," said Buley. "He has a sound track record of galvanizing his team and raising the performance of key categories. Jim is an excellent addition to the Dollar General team."