Kingswood Acquires Vitamin Shoppe, Reinstates Sharon Leite CEO

Sharon Leite has returned as CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe following its acquisition by private equity firms Kingswood Capital Management and Performance Investment Partners, who purchased the retailer from Franchise Group. Leite, who previously led the company from 2018 to 2023, replaces Lee Wright, who stepped down amid the transition. The Vitamin Shoppe aims to expand under Leite’s leadership, focusing on omnichannel retail growth, digital marketing enhancements, and innovative private brand development. The company is also rolling out a boutique-style shop-in-shop concept called Hometown Stores to provide localized, immersive retail experiences that appeal to younger consumers. The executive leadership team remains largely intact, with new additions to the board including Alex Smith and Beth Kaplan. This leadership change comes as The Vitamin Shoppe navigates a competitive supplement market and seeks to leverage its legacy brand while adapting to shifting consumer behaviors.