Booze Startup Challenging Amazon Adds Former Wal-Mart Executive to Board
- Bill Simon also helped launch Smirnoff Ice for Diageo
- ‘This is very much us versus Amazon,’ Drizly CEO Rellas says
This article is for subscribers only.
Alcohol e-commerce platform Drizly has signed up the former head of Wal-Mart Stores Inc.’s U.S. unit as it competes against Amazon.com Inc. for dominance in the online drinks market.
Bill Simon, who served as chief executive officer of the retail giant’s U.S. operations from 2010 to 2014, was appointed to Drizly’s board of directors, according to the startup. Simon is no stranger to the alcohol industry. He worked at Diageo Plc, the world’s largest distiller, where he helped develop Smirnoff Ice. At Wal-Mart, he helped expand alcohol sales.