Linda Filler

Walgreen Co. has hired Linda Filler, previously president of specialty retailer Claire's Stores Inc., as president of retail products and chief merchandising officer.

Walgreens said Filler will start in the position next year and oversee all of the drug chain's merchandising activities.

"With her deep experience across a broad range of product lines and strong supplier relationships, Linda has the expertise to understand what our customers want," stated Alex Gourlay, president of customer experience and daily living at Walgreens.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreen Co. has hired Linda Filler, previously president of specialty retailer Claire’s Stores Inc., as president of retail products and chief merchandising officer.

Walgreen Co. has hired Linda Filler, previously president of specialty retailer Claire’s Stores Inc., as president of retail products and chief merchandising officer.

Linda Filler

Walgreens said Thursday that Filler will begin in the position on Jan. 1 and oversee all of the drug chain’s merchandising activities.

Alex Gourlay, president of customer experience and daily living at Walgreens and president-elect of Walgreen Co., noted that Filler brings significant experience in merchandising, marketing and strategy to the chain drug store retailer.

"With her deep experience across a broad range of product lines and strong supplier relationships, Linda has the expertise to understand what our customers want and to innovate quickly to create an experience that drives loyalty and results," Gourlay said in a statement. "She brings considerable global experience as we anticipate closing step two of our strategic partnership with Alliance Boots in the first quarter of calendar 2015, and I believe our team members will appreciate her natural, collaborative leadership style."

As president of Claire’s, a retailer of fashionable jewelry and accessories for young women, teens, tweens and girls, Filler helped lead a chain with more than 3,000 stores in 17 countries in North America and Europe, as well as nearly 450 franchised stores in 30 countries, mainly in the Middle East, central and southeast Asia, and Central and South America.

Before joining Claire’s in March 2013, Filler was executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Sam’s Club, the warehouse club division of Walmart, where she also led the owned brand strategy. She also held executive vice president positions at Walmart and Kraft Foods Group Inc. and leadership positions at Hanes Brands in the Sara Lee Corp.

"Alex continues to build a very strong team, and with the addition of Linda, our retail products division will be well-positioned to join with Alliance Boots to deliver the unique combination of products and services that will set apart our future combined company," Walgreens president and chief executive officer Greg Wasson stated.