Retail news that keeps industry pros in the know
Retail Brew delivers the latest retail industry news and insights surrounding marketing, DTC, and e-commerce to keep leaders and decision-makers up to date.
March saw a flurry of CEO departures, from longtime leaders at Fossil and Brooks Running to the end of a short stint for Under Armour’s chief exec. Here are the March moves to know:
- Under Armour’s founder Kevin Plank returned as CEO after departing the role in 2019. He’ll take over from Stephanie Linnartz, who joined as chief executive just over a year ago.
- Petco CEO Ron Coughlin left the pet care retailer after holding the role since 2018. Board member and former Best Buy COO and president R. Michael Mohan will assume the spot in the interim.
- Allbirds co-founder Joey Zwillinger stepped down as CEO amid struggling sales for the shoe brand. COO Joe Vernachio has taken over the job, with Zwillinger remaining as board member and special advisor.
- After four years with the fashion house, Balmain CEO Jean-Jacques Guevel exited his role, just a week after the brand’s CMO Txampi Diz announced his departure “to pursue other interests” after assuming the role in 2017. The company has yet to name a successor for either position.
- Fossil announced that it will part ways with CEO and board member Kosta Kartsotis, who has led the retailer for 24 years, as the company undergoes a strategic review. COO Jeffrey Boyer was named interim CEO and joined its board of directors.
- Brooks Running promoted COO Dan Sheridan to the CEO spot starting late April as its CEO Jim Weber announced his departure after 20 years leading the athletic brand.
- Macy’s tapped Michael Krans, who previously led Walmart Connect’s fashion team, as the new VP of Macy’s Media Network.
- Lidl US announced four new executive appointments: Miguel Paradela as EVP of purchasing and chief commercial officer; Frank Kerr as chief customer officer; Tod Seiling as VP of fresh; and Michael Chao as head of marketing.
- Hy-Vee named Jessica Hendrix, former president and CEO of shopper marketing agency Saatchi & Saatchi X, as EVP, CMO, and president of its retail media network RedMedia.
- Wawa added former Red Lobster executive Nelson Griffin as its new chief supply chain officer.