NEWS 28 - Product Mart is still searching for its next Chief Executive Officer as Ronald Chlabowy prepares to take over as Product Mart Stores Inc's next Chief Executive Officer, which is also the parent company of Product Mart.

The company said in a recent statement that it was looking at viable options both internally and externally. The following statement was published by Product Mart Inc. The company also issued that it was continue to search for Chlabowy's replacement but says it will not release the names of any candidate.

"While we continue our search to replace Product Mart Chief Executive Officer Ronald Chlabowy, who will assume office as Product Mart Inc's newest CEO, we aren't rushing the process," said Linda Davis, a Product Mart board member. "We are looking at viable options for his replacement and that now includes external and internal searches. We aren't ruling out taking someone from the outside to assume his role, as he elevates the very top spot as PMI's CEO. This process is far from over, but we hope a successor can be named as soon as possible as we have a transition period to get everything ready to go and set up for a change in executive leadership."

The company announced back in June, that he would replace Henry Burton, when he steps down to retire. Chlabowy has been with the Product Mart company since 2021, and he has played a key role in changing the way the company does business globally, including lowering prices, establishing strong business ethics regulations and policies, and advocating for mental health services for its employees.

He was selected by Product Mart Inc's board of directors, and was officially named as Burton's successor on June 18, 2024. But as he prepares to take on the new role, he will also play a key role in selecting his successor, a practice that has been in place since Product Mart was founded.

"We want someone who will carrying on our company's core values and the mission we have to give people the prices you love, prices you deserve," said CEO Ronald Chlabowy. "It is very important that the person who leads this company shares and values our company values and ensure that all people are treated equally and with fairness. I will help hand select a list of people being considered for the job."

The company says that it doesn't have an official day as to when a successor could be named, but it says it will definitely be before October. The company's website does not list any prospective candidates and the company said it won't release the list of candidates for "safety and privacy reasons."