Dive Brief:
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Fort Myers, FL-based apparel retailer Chico’s, the company behind brands Chico’s, White House / Black Market, Boston Proper, and lingerie brand SOMA, has tapped retail veteran Shelley Broader as president and CEO, the company said Wednesday.
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Broader has been president-CEO of Wal-Mart’s Europe, the Middle East and Africa region, and was previously president and CEO of Wal-Mart Canada, merchandising chief at Wal-Mart Canada, and SVP for Wal-Mart’s warehouse unit, Sam’s Club. She has not just a long 25-year career in retail, but also a varied one, including a stint as a member of President Obama’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa.
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She replaces retiring David Dyer, who will stay on as vice chairman of the board.
Dive Insight:
Broader brings an impressive resume with her to Chico’s—Wal-Mart’s EMEA sales grew beyond $60 billion while she was chief—but she has quite a job before her in Chico’s turnaround. Earlier this year, Chico’s reported losses, failed to line up a buyer, and suffered layoffs and store closings.
Still, the buyout failure has allowed the company to focus on what it must get done, and tapping such an experienced retail veteran gives it a better chance of survival in the tough women’s apparel space.
