Executives

  • Tall trees in front of a bike, boat and ski store.
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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
  • Two people walk by a Bed Bath & Beyond store on a cloudy day.
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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
  • Exterior shot of a Spirit Halloween store.
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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
  • The outside of a standalone Ulta Beauty store.
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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
  • A storefront on a city block.
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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
  • Fabletics launches Fabletics Swim.
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    Courtesy of Fabletics
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    Fabletics names Vans vet chief marketing officer

    Carly Gomez has been promoted to the position, while Meera Bhatia’s COO role has been expanded to also include president. 

    By Howard Ruben • June 24, 2025
  • A Jos. A. Bank storefront
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    "Jos A. Bank, Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia" by Michael Rivera is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Tailored Brands taps former J.C. Penney merchant John Tighe as CEO

    Peter Sachse will become executive chairman of the board as a result and said the planned succession is a hallmark of a strong organization.

    By Dani James • June 20, 2025
  • Models at the end of a runway show walk as confetti falls
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    Lara Ewen/Retail Dive
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    Investor slams Victoria’s Secret ‘super squad’ leadership as inexperienced, ineffectual

    Barington Capital wants the Angels back and says CEO Hillary Super lacks focus. The retailer says it’s confident in its “new and experienced leadership.”

    By • June 20, 2025
  • A handful of people sit and walk on a small green area next to large glass spherical buildings on a sunny day.
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    David Ryder/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Amazon’s Andy Jassy warns of job cuts due to generative AI

    The CEO told employees in a letter to embrace the change the tech presents in order to remain competitive within the company.

    By Dani James • June 18, 2025
  • White clouds hover over a Bed Bath & Beyond store, a leafy tree in front on the left.
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    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
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    Kirkland’s tightens ties to Bed Bath & Beyond, rebrands as ‘Brand House Collective’

    The company, which also reported Q1 sales and profit declines, said Kirkland's stores will turn into Bed Bath & Beyond Home locations.

    By • June 17, 2025
  • A man in a pin-stripe suit with a pink shirt and a red tie crosses his arms and smiles against a grey background.
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    Courtesy of The Estée Lauder Companies
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    Beauty leader Leonard Lauder dies at 92

    The executive, who was chairman emeritus of The Estée Lauder Companies, joined the family business over sixty years ago and spearheaded many of its acquisitions.

    By Dani James • June 16, 2025
  • A person walks past a Peloton store.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Peloton names fourth chief marketing officer in 5 years

    With past experience at Apple, Amazon and Netflix, Megan Imbres’ background aligns with how Peloton is looking to grow its business.

    By Peter Adams • June 13, 2025
  • Headshot of Elliott Hill
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    Courtesy of Nike
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    How Nike CEO Elliott Hill is building out his turnaround team

    Eight months in, Hill has changed leadership structures and brought in new hires. At the same time, several long-time executives have retired.

    By • June 12, 2025
  • A colorful, floral pink room display features tote bags and games.
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    Erika Goldring via Getty Images
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    Vera Bradley CEO, CFO to depart

    The company, which posted a 24% net revenue decline in the first quarter, suspended guidance and announced the creation of a strategy and transformation committee.

    By Lara Ewen • June 12, 2025
  • A beige Kirkland's storefront.
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    "Kirkland’s Hialeah" by Phillip Pessar is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Kirkland’s appoints UpWest, Richer Poorer vet as COO

    James Schisler takes on oversight of the home retailer’s operations. Meanwhile, Beyond has tapped a former Kirkland’s CEO for the board.

    By Dani James • June 9, 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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    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Nike appoints innovation chief and retailers face cyberattacks

    The athletics retailer filled in the role behind John Hoke, while Victoria’s Secret, Adidas and The North Face have recently reported security breaches.

    By Retail Dive Staff • June 6, 2025
  • Nike's first Nike Rise concept store in Guangzhou, China
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    Courtesy of Nike
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    Nike taps McDonald’s exec for chief communications officer

    Michael Gonda joins July 7 and is the latest change CEO Elliott Hill has made to the activewear brand’s leadership ranks.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • June 3, 2025
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    Cara Salpini/Retail Dive
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    Away appoints new CEO as it expands sales channels

    President Jessica Schinazi takes on the lead position as co-founder Jen Rubio steps into an executive chair role on the board. 

    By Dani James • June 2, 2025
  • Shoe brand Kizik opens at Mall of America
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    Courtesy of Kizik
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    Kizik taps Nike vet as CEO

    Gareth Hosford, who held leadership positions at the athletics giant and Converse, will lead the hands-free footwear brand and its parent company.

    By Howard Ruben • June 2, 2025