Executives


  • Two people stand by a convertible car with a dog inside.
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    Courtesy of J. McLaughlin
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Tillys, J. McLaughlin get new CEOs

    Outdoors veteran Nate Smith will join the youth apparel company, while interim chief Greg Unis is taking over permanently at the upscale brand.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Aug. 1, 2025
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    Kendall Davis/Retail Dive
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    Podcast

    The Backroom: What’s next for Target?

    Join Retail Dive reporters Daphne Howland and Dani James for a discussion about the mass retailer’s unique history, the ups and downs of its differentiation, and where it may be headed.

    By Retail Dive Staff • July 31, 2025
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    Courtesy of Gap Inc.
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    Athleta brings on Nike veteran to reboot stalled turnaround

    Maggie Gauger spent more than two decades at Nike, including leading women’s in North America, and replaces Chris Blakeslee next month.

    By July 29, 2025
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    Cara Salpini/Retail Dive
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    Ty Haney is back at Outdoor Voices, this time with a new collection

    The founder reassembled her brand’s original creative team and has been working for nine months on the latest collection. 

    By Updated July 30, 2025
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    Courtesy of Depop
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    Depop names permanent CEO

    Peter Semple, who officially takes the helm on Friday, has been serving in the role on an interim basis since May.

    By Howard Ruben • July 28, 2025
  • Sydney Sweeney for American Eagle Outfitters.
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    Courtesy of American Eagle Outfitters
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Phlur gets acquired and American Eagle’s stock soars

    Private equity firm TSG Consumer will acquire the fragrance brand in a deal that keeps Phlur Creative Director Chriselle Lim in her role.

    By Retail Dive Staff • July 25, 2025
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    Permission granted by Walmart
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    Walmart bets big on AI with ‘super agent’ strategy

    The retailer is centralizing AI capabilities to avoid fragmentation, noting that the technology is already being utilized by 900,000 associates.

    By July 25, 2025
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    Courtesy of Centric Brands
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    Centric Brands names president of kids’ division

    Rob Smith, founder of The Phluid Project, comes with leadership experience from Macy’s and Victoria’s Secret.

    By Howard Ruben • July 23, 2025
  • A selection of brightly-colored bottles from hair care brand Function of Beauty at Target.
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    Cara Salpini/Retail Dive
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    Function of Beauty names new CEO

    Monica Belsito was chief marketing officer at Sabra Dipping Company and, before that, founding CMO at feminine products company Lola.

    By July 21, 2025
  • Sur La Table CEO Dan Goldman
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    Courtesy of Sur La Table
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    Sur La Table taps Gap Inc. veteran as president

    Dan Goldman led brand strategy across the Banana Republic and Athleta banners, as well as corporate strategy and development at the broader company.

    By Howard Ruben • July 18, 2025
  • A street lamp tilts right as the white storefront of a "Nordstrom Rack" location tilts left, as sun streams in a light blue sky. Vertical bars decorate the building above and below the word "Rack."
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Nordstrom names Dollar General exec Kelly Dilts CFO

    The appointment comes shortly after the department store went private through a deal with the Nordstrom family and El Puerto de Liverpool.

    By Alexei Alexis • July 18, 2025
  • The Nike "swoosh" on the side of a building, with another building seen behind it.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Nike’s VP of AI is leaving

    Jason Loveland is exiting just weeks after the activewear giant’s vice president of virtual studios announced his departure.

    By July 17, 2025
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    Courtesy of Saks Global
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    Saks Global taps Neiman Marcus vet as CFO

    Brandy Richardson was most recently at Tailored Brands and joins the luxury retailer at a financially tricky time.

    By July 17, 2025
  • an aerial view of a customer walking into a Kohl's location
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    Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Kohl’s appoints digital chief amid turnaround plan

    Retail veteran Arianne Parisi will join the company on July 28, reporting to interim CEO Michael Bender.

    By Roberto Torres • July 16, 2025
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    L.L. Bean in search of a new CEO

    Stephen Smith, the retailer’s first chief executive from outside the company or founding family, will leave next spring after a decade in the post.

    By July 15, 2025
  • Headshots of Brian Burnett and Molly Hartney.
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    Courtesy of Rack Room Shoes
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    Rack Room Shoes names chiefs of digital, merchandise

    The retailer promoted from within, naming Brian Burnett chief merchandise officer and placing Molly Hartney in the new role of chief digital officer.

    By Howard Ruben • July 11, 2025
  • A pair of black, blue and white converse shoes on a white background
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    Permission granted by Nike
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    Nike names 21-year veteran Aaron Cain CEO of Converse

    Jared Carver is leaving the role after just two years, but will stay on for a transition period through the end of the month.

    By July 11, 2025
  • A Saks storefront in Chicago.
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    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
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    Another Saks Global stores exec is out

    John Antonini leaves after more than 25 years at Saks Fifth Avenue and just a few months into a newly created position centered on store growth.

    By July 9, 2025
  • Headshot of Cynthia Williams
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    Courtesy of Hasbro
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    Funko CEO exits after a little over a year

    In the interim, the toy company appointed Michael Lunsford, who said it has "yet to achieve the full potential of Funko."

    By July 8, 2025
  • Front view of a Best Buy store in Milpitas, California, on Feb. 20, 2024.
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    hapabapa via Getty Images
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    Best Buy taps Walgreens CIO to lead its tech organization

    Neal Sample will succeed Brian Tilzer, who served as the electronics retailer’s chief digital, analytics and technology officer for seven years.

    By Matt Ashare • July 2, 2025
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Francesca’s veteran joins Kirkland’s as CFO amid transition to ‘Brand House Collective’

    Andrea Courtois, who also had financial roles at La Senza, Lane Bryant and Lands’ End, replaces longtime Kirkland's executive Mike Madden.

    By July 1, 2025
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    Courtesy of Spirit Halloween
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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: J. Jill names chief merchant as Spirit Halloween resurrects seasonal hiring

    Courtney O’Connor, formerly head of merchandising at Club Monaco, joins Monday. Meanwhile, the spooky store plans to bring on 50,000 employees.

    By Retail Dive Staff • June 27, 2025
  • Two boxes with Nike swoosh marks on them against a black background.
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    Courtesy of Nike
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    Nike Virtual Studios vice president exits

    Ron Faris has left the company to take a role at Disney as Nike has pulled back from some of its virtual efforts.

    By June 27, 2025
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    patty_c via Getty Images
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    Ulta Beauty CFO Paula Oyibo exits

    Controller Chris Lialios will take over in the interim as the retailer searches for a replacement. No reason was given for the departure.

    By June 25, 2025
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Glossier CEO Kyle Leahy to step down as brand enters ‘new phase of growth’

    The executive will remain on the beauty brand’s board, with founder Emily Weiss assisting in the search for Leahy’s replacement.

    By Dani James • June 25, 2025