Leading General Merchandise Retailer Shopko Names New Senior Vice President Marketing

GREEN BAY, Wis., April 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopko announced today that Michael B. Cooper has joined the company as Senior Vice President Marketing.  In this role, Cooper will lead Shopko's branding strategy and marketing initiatives.  He will report to Jill Soltau, President and Chief Merchandising Officer.

"More than ever, marketing will be critical to our success as we work toward our vision to become America's hometown retailer through expansion of our Shopko Hometown retail concept," said Soltau. "Mike's expertise in marketing insights, research, and analytics will be essential to our effort to clearly communicate the Shopko Hometown difference to current and new customers.  His combination of high-level marketing experience and tremendous cross-functional exposure, as well as his strong track record of success, make him a valuable addition to our team.  His reputation as an executive who leads by example and without ego makes him a perfect fit for the culture at Shopko."

Cooper joins Shopko from Office Depot, Inc. where he held several key marketing positions since 2006, most recently Vice President, Marketing.  In that role, Cooper directed all aspects of the company's broader marketing strategy, including strategic planning and allocation of the company's marketing budget.  Cooper consistently improved marketing effectiveness and strategically executed sales-driving initiatives using customer analytics, direct marketing and customer segmentation strategy, promotional offers, business intelligence and seasonal planning.  Prior to joining Office Depot, Cooper spent seven years at Accenture where he established a reputation as a retail practice expert.

Cooper earned both a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Florida.    

Shopko is owned by an affiliate of Sun Capital Partners, Inc., a leading private investment firm focused on leverage buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in market-leading companies.  

About Shopko
Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Shopko Stores Operating Co., LLC is a $3 billion retailer that operates over 325 stores in 21 states throughout the Midwest, Mountain, North Central and Pacific Northwest regions. Retail formats include 134 Shopko stores, providing quality name-brand merchandise, great values, pharmacy and optical services in small to mid-sized cities; 5 Shopko Express Rx stores, a convenient neighborhood drugstore concept; 17 Shopko Pharmacy locations; and 176 Shopko Hometown locations, a smaller concept store developed to meet the needs of smaller communities.  For more information, visit www.shopko.com.

About Sun Capital Partners
Sun Capital Partners, Inc. is a leading private investment firm focused on leveraged buyouts, equity, debt, and other investments in companies that can benefit from its in–house operating professionals and experience. Sun Capital affiliates have invested in more than 285 companies worldwide with combined sales in excess of $45 billion since Sun Capital's inception in 1995. Sun Capital has offices in Boca Raton, Los Angeles and New York, as well as affiliates in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Shanghai and Shenzhen. For more information, visit www.SunCapPart.com.

SOURCE Shopko