Peter J. Hayes, chief operating officer and chief merchandising officer of Variety Wholesalers, will be honored the Off-Price Industry’s Man of the Year. Sponsored by the Off-Price Apparel Association, the dinner and entertainment event will be held at the Treasure Island Casino & Hotel on August 24, during the Off-Price Specialist Show in Las Vegas.
Based in Henderson, North Carolina, Variety Wholesalers, Inc. operates three value-priced retail chains consisting of approximately 450 discount stores scattered throughout 18 states, primarily in the southeast. The stores carry a broad mix of family apparel, including shores, accessories, and sleepwear as well as an extensive assortment of home goods, domestics, electronics, toys, health and beauty aids, and food items.
Beginning his retail career at Hill’s Department Stores, Peter has served as chairman and CEO of Gold Circle/Richway, a division of Federated Department Stores; CEO of Childworld/Children’s Palace; and president and COO of Family Dollar Stores. After living in mainland China for five years, he became president of Retail Exchange, a Gordon Brothers Company and then CEO of Odd Job Stores and Mazel Wholesale, one of the largest hardlines off-price retailers.

Peter has served on various boards, including Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Riverside Methodist Hospital, Sparc Awards, Spencer Savings Bank, IMRA, and the Brain Center of New Seabury, Massachusetts.
David Lapidos, vice president, Off-Price Apparel Association, says, “We are indeed fortunate to have our 3rd Man of the Year equal in accomplishment to our first two—Bill Jage and George Bellino. Actually, our charities are fortunate to have such an esteemed standard bearer. Thank You, Peter, for stepping up to the plate.”
Cocktails will be served at 7 PM in Treasure Island’s Grand Ballroom, followed by dinner and entertainment.
Net proceeds from this event will be donated to St. Judes Children’s Hospital, the Building Fund for Wake County Hospice, and the Brain Center of New Seabury, Massachusetts.
For more information about this event, contact Steve Forman at 702-364-2637.