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Ace Retail Group has named Phillip Dalrymple senior director of merchandising. He will guide product assortment strategy, vendor partnerships and category performance across the retailer’s more than 260 Ace Hardware stores in 18 states.
Ace Retail Group has named Phillip Dalrymple senior director of merchandising, assigning him responsibility for product assortment strategy, vendor partnerships and category performance across its more than 260 Ace Hardware stores in 18 states. The appointment puts an experienced retail executive in charge of work that shapes which products the stores carry and how the company works with suppliers.
In the role, Dalrymple will guide assortment strategy and category performance for the store group, according to the announcement reported by Hardware Retailing on October 21. The company’s footprint spans more than 260 stores in 18 states. The announcement did not provide a start date or describe changes to the merchandising team.
Dalrymple brings more than 15 years of retail merchandising and leadership experience, with work in category development, private-label programs, product development and omnichannel retail, the report said. Most recently, he was president of Pnuma Outdoors and Heated Core, where he oversaw profit-and-loss management, budgeting and operational planning for a multimillion-dollar premium apparel business.
His earlier leadership roles included positions at Link Snacks Inc., City Lumber & Wholesale, Marolina Outdoor and Cabela’s. Dalrymple earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Texas State University. The source report did not provide further details about his specific responsibilities at the earlier employers.
Merchandising Across 260 Stores
The position covers decisions that can affect product selection, supplier relationships and category results across a sizeable multistate retail operation. A change in senior merchandising leadership can be relevant to store operators and vendors because assortment planning and purchasing relationships influence which products are available in stores. The announcement, however, does not say that Ace Retail Group plans to change its current assortment or supplier arrangements.
Dalrymple’s background spans outdoor apparel, wholesale and retail merchandising, as well as private-label and omnichannel work. That experience is relevant to the scope of the job, but the company has not announced particular initiatives or performance targets for him. Any effect on customers, store owners or suppliers will depend on decisions the company makes after his appointment.
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Dalrymple’s Retail Leadership Background
The appointment was reported by Hardware Retailing on October 21, 2026, citing Ace Retail Group’s announcement. The report describes the retailer’s reach as more than 260 Ace Hardware stores across 18 states and identifies merchandising, marketing and vendor partnerships as areas relevant to the leadership role.
Before joining Ace Retail Group, Dalrymple most recently led Pnuma Outdoors and Heated Core. The source says he oversaw P&L management, budgeting and operational planning for a multimillion-dollar premium apparel business. It also lists several earlier employers, but does not give dates for those roles or detail the projects he led there. The available information establishes his professional background, not a specific strategy for his new position.
““Phil knows how to build strong vendor partnerships and turn them into better choices for customers.””
— Laura Byrne-Harris, vice president of merchandising and marketing at Ace Retail Group
Details of His Mandate Remain Open
The announcement does not state when Dalrymple will begin, who he will report to, or whether other leadership or staffing changes will accompany the appointment. It also does not identify new product categories, vendor programs, private-label plans or financial goals associated with the role.
Byrne-Harris said the company expects Dalrymple to contribute to its stores and communities, but the report provides no measures or timetable for that expected contribution. There is no confirmed change to store assortments or supplier agreements in the information available. Further details may emerge from the company, but none were included in the report.
Watch for Role and Strategy Details
The immediate next step is Dalrymple’s work in the senior merchandising role. Ace Retail Group has not announced a start date or a schedule for future updates. Readers seeking specifics on his plans will need to look for additional company statements or details from subsequent reporting.
Any later announcement of assortment changes, vendor initiatives or merchandising priorities would clarify how the appointment affects the retailer’s stores. Until then, the confirmed development is the leadership appointment and the scope of the responsibilities described by the company.
Key Questions
Who has Ace Retail Group appointed?
Phillip Dalrymple has been named senior director of merchandising, according to the company announcement reported by Hardware Retailing.
What will Dalrymple oversee?
He will guide product assortment strategy, vendor partnerships and category performance across Ace Retail Group’s stores.
How large is Ace Retail Group’s store footprint?
The report says the group operates more than 260 Ace Hardware stores in 18 states.
What experience does Dalrymple bring?
He has more than 15 years of retail merchandising and leadership experience. His most recent role was president of Pnuma Outdoors and Heated Core, where he oversaw P&L management, budgeting and operational planning.
Has Ace announced changes to products or suppliers?
No. The announcement describes Dalrymple’s responsibilities but does not confirm changes to store assortments, vendor agreements or merchandising plans.
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