Executives


  • A red sign with a white logo and the words "under armour" in white capital letters hangs from an iron post.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Under Armour elevates Americas president to chief merchant

    Kara Trent will take on the position next month, as Chief Product Officer Yassine Saidi transitions to a senior adviser role.

    By Jan. 16, 2026
  • A person wearing sunglasses pushes a baby in a store cart.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart’s John Furner overhauls leadership

    The soon-to-be CEO of Walmart Inc. announced a slew of executive changes, including his own successor to lead the U.S. business.

    By Jan. 16, 2026
  • A smiling person with long waving blond hair wears a white T-shirt and black leather jacket.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Gap Inc.
    Image attribution tooltip

    Gap Inc. hires Paramount exec for ‘fashiontainment’ role in quest to boost relevance and revenue

    Pam Kaufman takes the newly created job in early February, reporting to CEO Richard Dickson.

    By Jan. 16, 2026
  • Image of a screen featuring Walmart's Sparky.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Walmart
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart: This year, AI tinkering ‘becomes transformation’

    A year from now, customers will look back and realize just how much has changed about the shopping experience, Walmart’s Daniel Danker predicts.

    By Jan. 15, 2026
  • Dick's executive chairman Ed Stack speaking during a panel with BJ's CEO Bob Eddy at the National Retail Federation's Big Show.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of National Retail Federation
    Image attribution tooltip

    What 10 retail executives have to say about AI

    Executives from Dick’s Sporting Goods to Macy’s offered insights as the industry grapples with integrating the new tech into their operations.

    By , Jan. 15, 2026
  • A person wearing sweats and a baseball cap walks down the street.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    ‘You have to be willing to challenge everything’: VF Corp leaders discuss turnaround progress

    Executives from Vans, The North Face and Timberland laid out their plans for evolution while maintaining each brand’s heritage.

    By Jan. 14, 2026
  • An athletic store on a New York City corner.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Puma names new senior global brand marketer following reorganization

    The appointment of Nadia Kokni follows the struggling sportswear icon uniting several key marketing and product functions under a chief brand officer.

    By Peter Adams • Jan. 14, 2026
  • A person walks toward a store entrance.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Five Below CEO Winnie Park reflects on one year at the helm

    The Forever 21 veteran redefined the retailer’s target customer, simplified its pricing structure and is eyeing more changes to product assortment.

    By Jan. 13, 2026
  • Canada Goose storefront in Las Vegas.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Canada Goose
    Image attribution tooltip

    Canada Goose shakes up leadership team

    The luxury company’s moves include bringing on a Burberry vet and naming a new president of Asia Pacific. 

    By Howard Ruben • Jan. 13, 2026
  • REI CEO Mary Beth Laughton speaking during the National Retail Federation's Big Show in New York City
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of The National Retail Federation
    Image attribution tooltip

    In the age of AI, REI is turning to its human employees to win

    The retailer’s “green vest” associates serve as a key differentiator — both in stores and online — in an increasingly AI-driven world, according to CEO Mary Beth Laughton.

    By Jan. 12, 2026
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    A look back at Bed Bath & Beyond’s pivotal year

    As the retailer’s deal to acquire the former Kirkland’s nears closing, here’s a review of the events that brought us to this point.

    By , Jan. 12, 2026
  • Tall trees in front of a bike, boat and ski store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    L.L. Bean names company veteran next CEO

    Greg Elder has been with the outdoor retailer for almost 20 years, most recently as chief retail officer overseeing stores, wholesale and other operations.

    By Jan. 9, 2026
  • Kendra Scott Launches Fine Jewelry
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kendra Scott
    Image attribution tooltip

    Kendra Scott taps Athleta vet as CEO

    Chris Blakeslee, who previously served as chief executive at the Gap-owned activewear brand, also held positions at Alo Yoga and Bella+Canvas.

    By Howard Ruben • Jan. 9, 2026
  • Children playing and jumping wearing bright colored clothing
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Hanna Andersson
    Image attribution tooltip

    Hanna Andersson names Toys R Us vet chief digital officer

    Kacey Sharrett, who was most recently the head of DTC at GoPro, will oversee the children’s apparel brand’s digital ecosystem and customer experience. 

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Jan. 8, 2026
  • Exterior of Walmart store with a sign that reads "grocery" and two cars parked in front.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sam Silverstein/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Walmart adds tech veteran to board as it preps for AI era

    Shishir Mehrotra, who co-founded an AI platform and also has experience at YouTube, joins the board ahead of John Furner’s move to CEO.

    By Updated Jan. 8, 2026
  • Exterior sign for a GameStop store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    GameStop floats CEO pay entirely tied to performance

    Ryan Cohen would have to reach sky-high goals to receive the lucrative compensation, a setup resembling Elon Musk’s at Tesla.

    By Jan. 7, 2026
  • A Bed Bath & Beyond sign against a blue sky with puffy white clouds.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Bed Bath & Beyond operating chief out as Marcus Lemonis takes on CEO role

    Lemonis outlined a plan that moves the company beyond retail and into insurance, financial tools and “mortgage related solutions.”

    By Jan. 5, 2026
  • A Saks storefront in Chicago.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick exits

    Executive Chairman Richard Baker is taking over the top position at the luxury retailer as bankruptcy speculation swirls.

    By Jan. 2, 2026
  • Mattel headquarters in El Segundo, California.
    Image attribution tooltip
    The image by Jelson25 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
    Image attribution tooltip

    Mattel brings on vet from Netflix, Disney

    Natalia Premovic was named chief consumer products and experiences officer as the toy company draws on its IP for new projects.

    By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 23, 2025
  • A hair salon.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Rachel Murray/Getty Images for ELLE via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    Coty taps Procter & Gamble vet as executive chair, interim CEO

    Markus Strobel’s appointment comes days after the beauty giant sold its remaining stake in hair care brand Wella for $750 million.

    By Dec. 22, 2025
  • A red Levi's tab sign against a bright blue sky.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Daphne Howland/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip
    Column

    The Weekly Closeout: Levi’s adds Target vet to board, plus more Black Friday ‘standouts’

    Jeffrey Jones, a former chief marketer at Target, will join the apparel maker in January. Meanwhile, analysts called out On and Hoka as big winners from the sale season.

    By Retail Dive Staff • Dec. 19, 2025
  • Pandora storefront in NYC.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Kaarin Moore/Retail Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    Pandora’s next CEO to take the reins early

    Chief Marketing Officer Berta de Pablos-Barbier, who was originally set to start the chief executive position in March, will now take on the role Jan. 1.

    By Howard Ruben • Dec. 18, 2025
  • A rack of shoes in a brightly lit store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Lululemon
    Image attribution tooltip

    Activist investor wants Ralph Lauren veteran to lead Lululemon

    Elliott Investment Management has taken a more than $1 billion stake in the athleisure brand and is pushing for Jane Nielsen to succeed Calvin McDonald.

    By Dec. 18, 2025
  • An internal shot of Burberry's shop-in-shop inside of Saks in New York City.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Courtesy of Luis Guillén for Saks
    Image attribution tooltip

    Burberry names chief operating and supply chain officer

    Matteo Calonaci succeeds Supply Chain and Industrial Officer Klaus Bierbrauer, who will remain with the company during a transition period.

    By Antone Gonsalves • Dec. 15, 2025
  • Two mannequins at the foot of a red set of stairs in Lululemon's SoHo store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Lululemon
    Image attribution tooltip

    Lululemon founder decries brand ‘erosion’ as CEO prepares to exit

    Chip Wilson alleged the board and Calvin McDonald oversaw years of value destruction of the brand, though most analysts praised McDonald’s tenure.

    By Dec. 12, 2025