Hudson’s Bay Company
HBC CEO Gerald Storch is leaving the company, effective Nov. 1. Storch joined HBC in 2015, where he led the company’s all-channel strategies and was responsible for its e-commerce success. Storch previously held executive roles at other major retailers, including Toys R Us and Target. He will be succeeded by executive chairman and governor Richard Baker while the company conducts a permanent CEO search.
Sears
Sears Holding Corporation board member Bruce R. Berkowitz is stepping down from his post, effective Oct. 31. Berkowitz currently serves as the CIO of Fairholme Capital Management, LLC, an investment advisor, and is the president of investment company Fairholme Funds, Inc. Sears has not announced a replacement yet.
Rue 21
Rue 21 appointed Jason LaRose to its board of directors. LaRose is the president of North America at Under Armour. Prior to assuming his current role, LaRose served as Under Armour’s chief revenue officer-digital and SVP global e-commerce. His resume includes previous stints at Express and Sears Holdings Corporation.
Topman
James Blacklock, Topman’s merchandising director, is leaving the company for personal reasons. Blacklock, who has held his role since 2014, was responsible for Topman’s apparel lines. A replacement has not been confirmed by Topshop yet.
OrthoLite
OrthoLite tapped former Nike senior product training specialist Larry O’Brien as its new key account sales manager. In his new role, O’Brien will be responsible for OrthoLite’s industry partnerships and lead OrthoLite in the athletic footwear sector. O’Brien joins OrthoLite after a robust tenure at Nike, where he held various leadership positions for the past 27 years.
Related Stories
White Stuff
White Stuff tapped former M&S director Jo Jenkins as its new CEO, effective Spring 2018. Jenkins currently serves as the director of beauty and clothing at M&S and sits on the company board’s operating committee. Her resume includes previous stints at other major retailers, including Next.
Walmart
Walmart E-Commerce Home Group and Hayneedle announced new leadership changes.
Hayneedle appointed Scott Doughman as its new president. Doughman brings more than 20 years of technology experience. He joins Hayneedle from Yahoo!, where he served as the company’s VP of global partnerships. His resume also includes previous leadership roles at FedEx and Price Waterhouse.
Anthony Soohoo was named as the new SVP and general manager of the Home Group across all U.S. e-commerce retail within Hayneedle, Jet and Walmart.com. Soohoo, a retail veteran, joins the company after many leadership stints. He served as the founder and former CEO of Dot & Bo, where he helmed the home furnishing brand business from 2013 to 2015. Prior to Dot & Bo, Soohoo served as the SVP and general manager of the Entertainment Division at CBS Interactive. Soohoo has also held previous leadership roles at Apple and Yahoo!.
Shoes for Crews
Shoes for Crews named HBC alum Donald Watros as its new CEO and president, effective Oct. 30. Watros joins Shoes for Crews from HBC, where he served as the president of HBC International. In 2006, Watros, who served as managing director of retail operations at NRDC Equity Partners, lead the team that consolidated multiple international department stores into HBC. During that time, Watros held various leadership roles at HBC, including serving as HBC’s president from 2013 to 2015. He succeeds CEO, CIO and president Stuart Jenkins, who is leaving the company.
John Lewis Partnership
John Lewis Partnership group development director Tom Athron is resigning from his post in Spring 2018. Athron has held various leadership roles at John Lewis Partnership for 12 years and has not confirmed his next move yet.