CONCORD, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 17, 2013) - BevMo!, the ultimate neighborhood specialty beverage retailer, today announced former Safeway Executive Douglas J. Ratto has joined BevMo! as executive vice president, chief merchant. Ratto will lead the Buying, Planning, Allocations and Distribution teams at BevMo!, the leading alcoholic beverage-lifestyle specialty retailer in the western U.S.
"Doug is a terrific addition to our team. The level of industry expertise and strategic initiative he brings to BevMo! will help ensure our continued growth and differentiate us in the marketplace as the neighborhood beverage store of choice," said BevMo! CEO Alan Johnson. "Doug's experience in the alcoholic beverage category and his work with top retail brands is unparalleled. We welcome Doug to the BevMo! team."
Ratto comes to BevMo! with more than 25 years of retail and marketing management experience. Since 2010, Doug served at Safeway as Senior Vice President, General Manager of Alcohol/Tobacco, Home Care/General Merchandise & Family Care, and was responsible for the strategic development and tactical implementation of all aspects of this business. Prior to that, Ratto led two business units including Beverage/Snacks and Alcohol /Tobacco at Safeway.
Ratto began his career as a Store Manager for Vons, and progressed with increasing levels of responsibility in buying, merchandising, marketing, and category management roles, for the alcohol, tobacco, and snack categories. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Southern California. Doug lives in the East Bay with his wife Susy, and they have two daughters, Katie and Christi.
BevMo! is the leading alcoholic beverage-lifestyle specialty retailer in the western United States and among the largest in the country. With 145 stores across California, Arizona and Washington, BevMo! provides a uniquely friendly and welcoming environment for competitively priced alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and "goes with" products such as specialty foods and snacks, cigars, glassware and related bar and wine accessories. For more information on BevMo!, please visit www.BevMo.com.
