Tractor Supply Appoints Chief Information Officer - Analyst Blog

Tractor Supply Company TSCO, the largest operator of farm and ranch stores in the U.S., has appointed Robert D. Mills as the Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, following the retirement of James Callison. Though Mills has joined the company, Callison will continue with the company through the transition period. Additionally, Mills has been named as a member of the company's Executive Committee.

Robert D. Mills possesses tangible experience in retail business, having worked with companies like Ulta Beauty, a unit of Ulta Salon, Cosmetics & Fragrance Inc. ULTA, Sears Holdings Corp. SHLD, The Allstate Corp. ALL, Rockwell International ROK Telecommunications Division, and Household Finance Corp. He most recently served as the Chief Information Officer for Ulta Beauty. Prior to this, from 2005 to 2011, he served as the Vice President, Chief Information Officer of the online business unit at Sears Holdings.

Mills' hands on experience in strategic technology planning, e-commerce and operations leadership make him ideal to lead and develop Tractor Supply's technology systems and platform.

Meanwhile, this rural lifestyle retail store chain reported strong fourth-quarter and full-year earnings results. The company reported fourth-quarter 2013 earnings per share of 68 cents, up 23.6% year over year, benefiting from improvement in both the top line and margins. Net sales in the quarter improved 10.0% year over year to $1,415.1 million primarily driven by strong comparable-store sales performance and favorable weather conditions.

Tractor Supply Company is the largest retail farm and ranch store chain in the United States. The company operates about 1,276 stores in 48 states. Tractor Supply focuses on recreational farmers and ranchers as well as tradesmen and small businesses.

The company offers a wide array of merchandise such as livestock, pet and animal products, maintenance products for agricultural and rural use, hardware and tools, lawn and garden power equipment, truck and towing products and work apparel. Tractor Supply Co. currently holds a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).