Secaucus – September 11, 2026 -- The Vitamin Shoppe has appointed Kimberley Gardiner as Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Growth Officer, effective immediately, tasking the former Tractor Supply marketing chief with digitizing the 640-store wellness retailer ahead of its 50th anniversary next year.
Gardiner exits Tractor Supply after growing loyalty program to 40 million members
Gardiner joins from Tractor Supply Company, where she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer since 2022, directing marketing across more than 2,400 stores. During her tenure, the retailer's Neighbor's Club loyalty program expanded to over 40 million members, while she advanced the company's "Life Out Here" brand positioning and omnichannel data strategy.
New mandate spans e-commerce, CRM, loyalty and public relations
Reporting directly to CEO Sharon Leite, Gardiner will oversee brand strategy and creative, performance marketing, e-commerce, CRM and personalization, loyalty programs, and corporate communications. She will also coordinate with the merchandising team and brand partners to align product storytelling with emerging wellness trends.
Automotive sector experience precedes wellness retail pivot
Before Tractor Supply, Gardiner was Chief Marketing Officer at Volkswagen of America, overseeing brand strategy, retail content, media planning and dealer marketing operations. She also held senior marketing roles at Mitsubishi Motors North America and Kia Motors America, served as CMO and VP of Operations at digital asset management firm 5th Kind, and spent 15 years at Toyota Motor Sales, USA.
Leite frames hire around brand's upcoming 50th-year milestone
"As The Vitamin Shoppe prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year, we have an opportunity to build on decades of customer trust and loyalty while reimagining how we engage with the modern wellness consumer," Leite said.
Gardiner holds academic credentials from Mills College and Indiana University
Gardiner earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Mills College and an MBA from Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. She sits on the National Retail Federation Marketing Executives Council and the PopTech Advisory Board.