FORT MYERS, Fla. — April 24, 2019 — Chico’s FAS Inc. today announced that Bonnie Brooks, former vice chair, president and CEO of Hudson’s Bay Co. and a current member of the Chico’s FAS board of directors, has been appointed interim CEO of the company, effective immediately. This appointment follows the resignation of Shelley Broader from her roles as CEO and president, and as member of the board.

“Bonnie is a successful retail executive and merchant who has led the turnaround of other fashion retailers, and we are pleased to have her step into the CEO role on an interim basis,” said David Walker, chair of the Board. “Her experience in the industry as well as her time on the Chico’s FAS Board give her a deep understanding of our brands and customers. We are confident that Bonnie will be able to quickly step into the business to benefit the sales, products and merchandising across all of the Company’s brands as the Board continues its search for a permanent CEO with a strong apparel track record.”

Walker further commented: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Shelley for her many contributions to Chico’s FAS over the past three and a half years. We appreciate the significant operating improvements she initiated and implemented and wish her well in her future endeavors.”

Brooks said: “One of our company’s key competitive advantages is the loyalty and strength of the core customer. We look forward to tapping into this further, and more aggressively, to enhance the growth and positioning of our Chico’s, White House Black Market, Soma and our newest brand, TellTale™. We have dedicated associates across the organization, and I look forward to working with them as Interim CEO.”

Chico’s FAS has engaged Herbert Mines Associates to search for a permanent CEO and President. The board Search Committee is Chaired by Bill Simon, a member of the Chico’s FAS Board since 2016 and previously president and CEO of Walmart U.S. and executive vice president of Walmart Stores Inc. Janice Fields, a member of the company’s board since 2013 and formerly president of McDonald’s USA LLC, and Brooks also serve on the committee.

Brooks has been a member of the Chico’s FAS Board since 2016. She has more than 30 years of global retail executive leadership experience. From 2014 to 2016, she served as the vice chair of Hudson’s Bay Co., a fashion retail group operating through multiple banners, including Hudson’s Bay, Home Outfitters, Lord & Taylor, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks Off Fifth and Kaufhof. Brooks joined Hudson’s Bay in 2008 as CEO and president. From 2012 to 2014, Brooks served as president of Hudson’s Bay Co., responsible for both Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor department stores USA. From 1997 to 2008, Brooks was based in Hong Kong serving as an executive officer, including as president of the Lane Crawford Joyce Group, a women’s fashion retailer with over 500 stores in Asia, and as global merchandise manager for Dickson Concepts (International) Ltd., a luxury retail group and owner of Harvey Nichols, UK. Prior to that, Brooks spent over a decade at Holt Renfrew & Co., a Canada-based fashion department store, in roles that included executive vice president and general merchandise manager.

Brooks also serves on the board of directors of Rogers Communications Inc., a Canadian diversified communications and media company, and she is a trustee of RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust, a North American real estate owner and developer. Ms. Brooks was formerly a director of Abercrombie & Fitch Co.

Posted April 24, 2019

Source: Chico’s FAS

PHILADELPHIA — April 23, 2019 — Urban Outfitters Inc. (URBN), a lifestyle products and services company which operates a portfolio of global consumer brands comprised of Anthropologie, BHLDN, Free People, Terrain and Urban Outfitters brands and the Food and Beverage division, today announced two changes in personnel at its Anthropologie brand.

First, Andrew Carnie, president, Home Garden and International at the Anthropologie Group will leave URBN to return to his home in the United Kingdom. Carnie will step down as of April 26, 2019. “We thank Andrew for six years of service to the company. Under his leadership, Home category sales doubled, the brand successfully launched a Home wholesale business and Anthropologie opened its first two stores in continental Europe,” said Richard A. Hayne, CEO and chairman of Urban Outfitters Inc.

At the same time, we are pleased to announce the promotion of Hillary Super, to global president of the Anthropologie Group. In addition to her current responsibilities overseeing the women’s apparel and accessories categories and the BHLDN bridal business, Super will assume oversight of the business segments previously reporting to Carnie. “Since joining Anthropologie two years ago, Hillary has made a strong impact on the brand. Under her leadership, sales of apparel and accessories have climbed to new heights. More recently, she and the Anthropologie team successfully planned and launched the new A Plus line of apparel. I believe Anthropologie continues to have amazing opportunities for growth and with Hillary as leader, I believe those opportunities will be realized,” finished Hayne.

Posted April 23, 2019

Source: Urban Outfitters Inc.

BURLINGTON, N.J. — April 23, 2019 — Burlington Stores Inc., an off-price retailer of high-quality, branded apparel at everyday low prices, today announced a leadership succession plan to guide the company’s continued growth and success:

• Thomas Kingsbury, chairman, president and CEO, will step down as CEO on or about September 16, 2019, after more than 10 years in that role. Kingsbury will continue to support the company as executive chairman of the board of directors during a transition period.
• Michael O’Sullivan, formerly president and COO of Ross Stores Inc., will join the company on or about September 16, 2019 as CEO. O’Sullivan will also be appointed to the company’s board.
• Jennifer Vecchio, chief merchandising officer, principal, has been appointed to the newly created role of president, chief merchandising officer, effective immediately. She will continue to be responsible for Merchandising and Planning, and will also oversee Marketing and Strategy.

“Given our tremendous progress and the strong foundation we have established, the Board and I believe now is the right time to transition to new leadership,” said Kingsbury. “Michael brings extensive experience and a proven record of success in the off-price retail business, and his team-oriented leadership style makes him a natural fit for our organization. We believe that Michael is uniquely qualified to lead Burlington in its next phase of growth.”

“Jennifer has outstanding merchandising and leadership skills, strong relationships with the vendor community and a deep understanding of our business model. She is an energetic and inspirational leader, and the Board and I believe she will continue to drive the company’s merchandising and marketing strategies as president and chief merchandising officer,” Kingsbury continued. “I am privileged to have served alongside an outstanding team during my time as CEO, and thank our board, leadership team and employees across the country for their dedication and commitment.”

O’Sullivan commented: “Under Tom’s leadership, Burlington has delivered outstanding operating results. Looking forward, I continue to see additional potential for comparable store sales growth, expansion of the store fleet, and improvement in operating margins.  I am honored to be appointed CEO of Burlington and look forward to working alongside the leadership team during such an exciting and promising time.”

John J. Mahoney, lead independent director and chair of the Compensation Committee, stated, “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Tom for his leadership and contributions to Burlington. The company’s stock price has increased more than 800% since the IPO in 2013. Tom’s outstanding leadership and unique insights are evident not only in these strong results but also in the incredible team and culture he has cultivated. Michael, Jennifer, Marc Katz and Fred Hand are talented, experienced executives, and we are confident they will build on Burlington Stores’ tremendous success.”

Updated Fiscal First Quarter 2019 Outlook

The company now expects Adjusted Earnings Per Share for the 13 weeks ending May 4, 2019, to be in the range of $1.21 to $1.25, within the previous guidance of $1.21 to $1.31. In addition, comparable store sales are now expected to increase in the range of 0% to 0.5%, within the previous guidance of 0% to 2%.

O’Sullivan has significant off-price retail experience, having served in executive positions at Ross Stores since 2003. For the last ten years, O’Sullivan was president and COO of Ross Stores, playing a leading role in developing and driving the core strategy of the business as well as managing major functional areas such as Stores, Loss Prevention, Supply Chain, Finance, IT, Human Resources, Merchandise Allocations, Merchant Support, and Marketing. Prior to joining Ross Stores, O’Sullivan was a Partner at Bain & Company, with a particular focus on business strategy and performance improvement within the retail industry.

Vecchio joined Burlington as executive vice president/chief merchandising officer in May 2015 after providing consulting services to the merchant group for the prior eighteen months. In January 2017, she was promoted to chief merchandising officer, Principal with responsibility for the Planning organization in addition to Merchandising. From 1997 to 2011, she held various positions in Merchandising at Ross Stores including executive vice president of Merchandising for Mens/Kids from 2009 to 2011. From 1988 to 1997, Vecchio held positions in the Merchandising organization of Macy’s.

Herbert Mines, an executive search firm, assisted the board of directors of Burlington Stores with its external search process.

Posted April 23, 2019

Source: Burlington Stores, Inc.

NEW YORK CITY — April 23, 2019 — Susan Gustafson has been named CEO of Worth Collection LTD, effective immediately.

Worth Collection LTD, a direct-to-consumer women’s fashion apparel company operating the luxury brand “Worth New York” and the contemporary brand “W by Worth,” designs, supplies and distributes luxury and contemporary women’s apparel through an omnichannel approach via its stylist network, by-appointment showrooms, online, and retail outlets.

Gustafson joins Worth following a nationwide search, after the company’s 2018 recapitalization by an affiliate of private equity firm New Water Capital L.P.

Gustafson comes to Worth with an impressive resume of leadership throughout her entire career. Positions Gustafson has held include president of Ratner Companies which manages the Hair Cuttery, Salon Cielo, and Salon Plaza, senior vice president of marketing for The Pampered Chef, and Brand Development Strategist for Things Remembered.

While at Ratner Companies, Gustafson increased field satisfaction and engagement by 77% and improved the Client Net Promoter Score by 174% over the course of nine years.

Gustafson championed the company revitalization for Ratner Companies resulting in the remodel and refresh of all salons, operations, and service delivery. Another notable success is the restructuring of the Ratner Companies organization for improved effectiveness. Gustafson has strategized and restructured marketing to include brand strategy, CRM/database usage throughout all brands, utilization of customer insights, public relations, digital efforts, events, and customer experience.

With Gustafson’s long list of accomplishments and leadership roles, Worth Collection LTD is set to see a record-breaking year in 2019.

Posted April 23, 2019

Source: New Water Capital

BEAVERTON, Ore. — April 23, 2019 — NIKE Inc. today announced that Dr. John C. Lechleiter, a director of the company since 2009 and former chairman, president and CEO of Eli Lilly and Co., has decided to retire and will not stand for reelection to the Board of Directors of NIKE Inc. at the September 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Dr. Lechleiter’s decision to retire was due to scheduling conflicts with other boards on which he presently serves.

Dr. Lechleiter will continue to serve as a Nike Inc. director until the 2019 Annual Meeting. He will be succeeded by Michelle Peluso, a director since 2014, as chairperson of the Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability & Governance Committee of the Board.

“We’d like to thank John for his contributions as a valued and trusted advisor and steward since 2009. His insights as a business leader have been invaluable and we wish him well,” said Mark Parker, chairman, president and CEO, Nike. “We are also incredibly pleased that Michelle will succeed John as chairperson of the Corporate Responsibility, Sustainability & Governance Committee. Her passion, commitment and leadership in the key strategic areas overseen by the Committee will help us build upon Nike’s leadership position.”

Posted April 23, 2019

Source: Nike Inc.