James Elasky

James Elasky is a seasoned retail executive currently serving as the Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant at PetSmart.23 He joined the company in February 2020, initially as Vice President of Merchandising, leading the consumables business including dog and cat food, treats, litter, and the online pharmacy.23

Career History

James has over 20 years of experience in the retail industry.13 His career journey includes:

• Peters Billiards Supply: Worked in sales from 1992 to 19991
• Best Buy: Held various merchandising roles from 2000 to 20041
• Target: Progressed through multiple leadership positions, including Senior Planning Divisional Toys, Senior Director Merchandise Planning for Toys and Sporting Goods as well as Electronics and Entertainment, Merchandising Director for Home Video, and Merchandising Director for Food Service13
• PetSmart: Joined as Vice President of Merchandising in 2020, later promoted to Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant23

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Business with a focus on Marketing from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management (1995-1999)1
• Study Abroad Program at Imperial College London (1999), studying Shakespeare, Theater, and English Literature1
• MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management (2004-2008)1

Personal

James lives in Phoenix with his wife, two daughters, and their dog Otis.3 His LinkedIn username is jameselasky, as mentioned in the query.

Professional Expertise

At PetSmart, James oversees strategic initiatives and product assortment. His extensive experience spans various retail categories, including entertainment, toys, sporting goods, electronics, grocery, proprietary brands development, and food service operations.3 This diverse background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of retail merchandising and strategy.