Sharon Leite is returning as CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe, following its acquisition by Kingswood Capital Management and The Prairie Investment Partners (PIP).
Leite’s appointment marks a reunion with Kingswood leadership, she previously worked under operating partner Alex Smith as head of stores at Pier 1 Imports, and later served as CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe from 2018 to 2023 when Smith chaired the retailer’s board.
“After an incredibly rewarding and successful four and a half years in the business, I am thrilled to return to The Vitamin Shoppe,” Leite said in a statement.
“With the invaluable support of our partners at Kingswood and PIP—leaders in building brands and driving growth in omnichannel retail—we are primed for an exciting new era of expansion.”
Her return follows a turbulent period for the company. The Vitamin Shoppe’s former parent, Franchise Group, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last November, burdened by approximately $2 billion in debt.
Now under new ownership, the retailer is looking to reposition itself with a revitalised growth strategy.
In recent months, The Vitamin Shoppe has made efforts to strengthen its in-store offering, including the launch of a new “Hometown Stores” concept.
These shop-in-shop spaces, measuring around 200 square feet, are designed to spotlight popular wholesale brands with strong local ties to the store’s region, an initiative aimed at deepening community engagement and regional relevance.
Kingswood partner Michael Niegsch and PIP partner Mark Genender said the firm’s investment strategy will centre on building the brand through several avenues.
That includes supporting store staff, known internally as health enthusiasts, to deliver exceptional in-store experiences, improving the retailer’s digital marketing and e-commerce capabilities, expanding and innovating its private label product range, and strengthening relationships with both established and up-and-coming third-party brands to position The Vitamin Shoppe as a top distribution partner.
Together with Leite’s leadership, the ownership group envisions transforming The Vitamin Shoppe into a modern, omnichannel health and wellness platform focused on customer loyalty, operational strength, and long-term brand relevance.
Click here to sign up to Retail Gazette‘s free daily email newsletter
