Industry Moves: CEO of UK’s Shoe Zone Steps Down + More Big News
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Aug. 30, 2019: Nick Davis, CEO of budget British footwear retailer Shoe Zone, has resigned after it was announced that profits would fall below expectations. He worked on the company’s IPO in 2014 and was promoted from CFO to CEO in 2016. Executive chairman Anthony Smith has taken over his job, while COO Charles Smith is now interim executive chairman until a replacement is announced in due course.
Aug. 28, 2019: Rack Room Shoes has promoted Peter Hohensee to the role of VP global supply chain North America after joining the brand in 2006. His responsibilities include global sourcing and distribution strategies as well as continuing to manage the logistics department. Hohensee has held various roles with its parent company, the Deichmann Group, for 18 years. Additionally, Donna Mull joins the team as CRM director of omni channel after more than 20 years in management positions at Academy Sports + Outdoors, Finish Line, Caleres and other brands. Mull’s duties include leading the company’s multi-channel marketing strategy as well as initiatives to grow revenue, profitability and enhance customer loyalty programs.
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Aug. 27, 2019: Amazon treasurer Kurt Zumwalt is leaving the company after 15 years. Although he recently exited the e-commerce giant, the news was communicated to Amazon’s internal staff in April, a spokesperson for the company confirmed. Tony Masone, who joined Amazon as assistant treasurer in 2016, has stepped into the role.
Aug. 27, 2019: American Dream owner/developer Triple Five Group has scooped another hire from Neiman Marcus. The Canadian mall giant announced Monday the appointment of Ty LaRoche, Neiman’s former fashion market editor, as creative director of fashion and design. LaRoche will work alongside Triple Five Group chief creative officer Ken Downing, another Neiman alum (he served as senior VP and fashion director at the company. LaRoche’s responsibilities will include setting style direction and seasonal trends, as well as attending major fashion markets and trade shows.
Aug. 24, 2019: Ulric Jerome is exiting London luxury e-tailer MatchesFashion.com where he had served as CEO since 2015, FN’s sister publication WWD reports. MatchesFashion confirmed Jerome’s departure and said that his replacement will be announced “in due course.” In the meantime, his duties will be covered by CFO Fiona Greiner and COO Tom Athron.
Aug. 23, 2019: Weinbrenner Shoe Co. Inc. announced that Jeff Burns has been appointed president. Burns started with Weinbrenner in 2011 and most recently served as SVP of sales and marketing. His previous footwear industry experience includes management positions with Rocky Brands, HH Brown and Novation. In conjunction with the news, Burns said he sees demand for “Made in the USA” footwear at an all-time high, and as a result, the company is investing in increased capacity in its two Wisconsin factories. It has also entered into a joint venture to invest in an additional production facility in Maine. These strategic moves should boost production by more than 30% in 2020, Burns said.
Aug. 22, 2019: Nordstrom Inc. announced Teri Bariquit as chief merchandising officer. In this newly created role, Bariquit will serve as a member of the company’s executive team, leading the full-price and off-price merchandising areas, the company said. She will report to co-president, Pete Nordstrom. A company veteran, Bariquit most recently served as Nordstrom’s EVP of merchandise planning and solutions, a position she had held since 2012. She has been with the department store chain for 33 years.
Aug. 20, 2019: Altra has hired Andrew Conley as its new director of global product. In the role, Conley is tasked with leading the running and outdoor-focused company’s global product efforts including design, development and merchandising. Prior to joining Altra, Conley was spent time at Hoka One Ona as its director of product and Saucony as the company’s director of sales and global product line manager.
Aug. 8, 2019: Debenhams has found a replacement for former CEO Sergio Bucher, who stepped down from his post in April when the company went into administration. Stefaan Vansteenkiste, who has been promoted to the top role, started at the company three months ago as its chief restructuring officer. He previously served as managing director at professional services firm Alvarez & Marsal.
Aug. 6, 2019: The kids’ business for athletics retailer Finish Line is going to get a creativity boost thanks to a famous pop star. The company announced today via Twitter that Ciara is its new creative director for kids. “We’re Welcoming @ciara to the Finish Line Family as the New Creative Director for Kid’s,” Finish Line wrote on the social media platform.
Aug. 1, 2019: Adrienne Lofton, who spent nine combined years at Under Armour in top marketing roles, is joining Nike on Aug. 5 as VP of marketing for North America. Company veteran Nicole Hubbard Graham, who spent 16 years at the brand, will take on an expanded role as VP of global category and Nike Direct Marketing. Marketing exec Gino Fisanotti will move to the newly created role of VP of global brand creative to spearhead the company’s “creative community, leveraging his multitude of experiences across cities, geographies and global, leading a number of categories and creative functions.” David Creech, most recently VP of design for Jordan Brand, is also moving to a newly created role as VP for Brand Creative in North America. Meanwhile, Martin Lotti, former VP of Global Brand Design, will become VP of design for Jordan Brand. After 21 years with Nike, Paolo Tubito, most recently VP of marketing for Asia Pacific and Latin America, is parting ways with the brand. He will be replaced by Adam Roth, who has spent 16 years at Nike and was most recently VP of global brand communications.
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