Business Beat: Ocean State Job Lot Names Luke Estep Chief Marketing Officer

Veteran retail marketing leader brings deep experience in value-driven brand strategy, customer engagement, and digital growth

Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL), home of Crazy Deals® and one of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic’s leading discount retail chains, today announced that Luke Estep has joined the company as Chief Marketing Officer.

Estep brings more than 15 years of marketing and digital transformation experience to OSJL, with expertise spanning brand strategy, customer engagement, media, analytics, and platform development. Most recently, he served as vice president of marketing at Grocery Outlet, where he led marketing strategy and digital growth initiatives for the value retailer which operates more than 500 stores across 16 states. His work included leading digital transformation initiatives, launching a first-ever mobile app, expanding customer engagement platforms, and helping evolve value-centered brand positioning and storytelling.

Prior to that, Estep, a North Kingstown resident, held leadership roles at Big Lots, overseeing customer relationship management, loyalty, marketing analytics, and customer engagement strategy, further reinforcing his experience in large-scale value retail and data-informed marketing.

In his new role, Estep will help lead OSJL’s marketing strategy as the company continues to strengthen its position as the home of Crazy Deals®, deepen customer engagement, and bring value message to life for shoppers. His background in value retail, omnichannel marketing, and brand growth aligns closely with OSJL’s focus on delivering exceptional bargains, instilling customer loyalty, and building strong community connections.

“I’m excited to join Ocean State Job Lot at such a pivotal time in the company’s expansion” said Luke Estep, Chief Marketing Officer, Ocean State Job Lot. “OSJL has a distinctive brand, a loyal customer base, and a clear commitment to delivering value in ways that resonate with shoppers. I look forward to helping build on that momentum and further strengthen the company’s connection with its customers and communities across all of our markets.”

“While aspiring to become the nation’s premier closeout retailer, giving back to the communities in which we operate is an integral part of our culture, and we are constantly pursuing people with barriers to assist us on our voyage,” said Marc Perlman, Principal Owner and Chief Executive Officer, Ocean State Job Lot. “Luke is a great fit for our organization. His extraordinary accomplishments speak for themselves, while  his alignment with our values makes his addition that much more impactful.”

About Ocean State Job Lot:

Founded in 1977, Ocean State Job Lot (OSJL) is a growing, privately held discount retail chain with 175 stores in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, nearly 7,000 employees, and annual sales exceeding $900 million. OSJL shoppers find an ever-changing array of brand-name, first-quality merchandise at closeout prices, including household goods, apparel, pet supplies, seasonal products (holiday, gardening, patio, pool and beach supplies), and kitchen pantry staples at a fraction of their typical price.

The company was named a five-time “Best Employer” by Forbes® Magazine*, a five-time U.S. Best Managed Company by Deloitte, one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Parents & Families 2024 by Newsweek, a five-time winner of the Inspiring Workplaces in North America Award, and three-time Global Top 100 Inspiring Workplaces winner. Ocean State Job Lot is not affiliated with Forbes®.

The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation has a long history of philanthropic leadership, supporting numerous causes, including feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, assisting veterans and military families, aiding animal rescue, caring for children, advancing healthcare, supporting the arts, and promoting learning. The Foundation’s operational, administrative and overhead expenses are covered by Ocean State Job Lot, not the Foundation, ensuring that 100% of every dollar raised through the Foundation goes directly to helping those in need.

Ocean State Job Lot is headquartered in Quonset Point Business Park at 375 Commerce Park Road, North Kingstown, RI 02852. Phone: 401-295-2672. Website: www.oceanstatejoblot.com.