Listen to this article
After four-and-a-half years as chief executive officer of The Vitamin Shoppe, Sharon Leite is stepping down from the role.
In a Jan. 6 LinkedIn post, Leite announced her departure from the Secaucus-based nutritional retailer, writing, “I am excited about where I am headed next. I will miss and am incredibly grateful to my team at The Vitamin Shoppe.”
Prior to joining The Vitamin Shoppe in August 2018, Leite was president of Godiva Chocolatier in North America. Her 30-year career also includes leadership positions with Sally Beauty, Pier 1 Imports, The Walt Disney Co., Gap Inc. and Bath & Body Works.
During her tenure at The Vitamin Shoppe, Leite helped re-energize the retailer with a range of expansion and innovation initiatives, including a new technology-driven retail format, opening distribution to new sales channels, boosting development and penetration of private brands, pioneering a CBD hemp extract merchandising program and expanding the business into Asia.
The Vitamin Shoppe also revamped its loyalty program and forged partnerships with industry leaders, such as Warner Bros. Consumer Products and WW (formerly Weight Watchers). Additionally, the company launched an omnichannel franchising model, with its first-ever franchise location opening last year.
Leite – who appeared in her capacity as The Vitamin Shoppe’s CEO on a January 2022 episode of the hit CBS reality series Undercover Boss – shared in her LinkedIn post, “Hard to believe it was just 4 ½ years ago when I first walked into our offices in Secaucus, NJ. With lots of big ideas on how we could re-imagine what The Vitamin Shoppe could become I set out on a path to learn as fast as I could about a category I knew nothing about. As a newcomer to the industry I am so appreciative of how our health enthusiasts, manufacturers, vendors and leaders in the industry welcomed me and helped guide me. Thank you.”
“Over the years I’ve traveled to meet our Health Enthusiasts in our stores and in our DC’s to support, listen and learn. I loved hearing from them how passionate they are about our business, why they care so much about what they do and why they are a Health Enthusiast. Every time I was with them I left inspired to do more, be more,” she wrote. “It has been the greatest privilege to be a part of this team.”
Following her departure from The Vitamin Shoppe, Leite was named chief executive officer of Ideal Image, an aesthetics brand in Tampa, Fla., that supplies doctors and medical professionals with treatments such as laser hair removal, body sculpting, Botox, fullers and skin rejuvenation, according to a Jan. 9 press release.
“Sharon Leite has exited her role as CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe, effective Jan. 4,” The Vitamin Shoppe confirmed to NJBIZ. “We thank Sharon for her many contributions and wish her well in her future endeavors. The experienced leadership team at The Vitamin Shoppe will continue the company’s strong growth path forward and a new CEO will be announced at a later date.”
Founded in 1977, The Vitamin Shoppe, a subsidiary of Franchise Group Inc. – the parent of Sylvan Learning, Pet Supplies Plus and American Freight – is omnichannel specialty retailer and wellness lifestyle company with more than 700 stores nationwide.
