Dive Brief:
- In preparation for anticipated growth, Anthropologie Group made a series of changes to its leadership team, the company announced on Monday. The retailer promoted Anu Narayanan to president of women’s apparel, accessories, weddings and beauty. Narayanan has managed the brand’s women’s apparel and accessory operations since 2018, but the new role brings its weddings and beauty divisions under her wing.
- The company also named Holly Thrasher as chief merchandising officer of apparel and weddings. Following her 18-year tenure at Nordstrom, Thrasher joined the company in 2021 to guide the apparel business and will now help oversee the company’s wedding business as well.
- Anthropologie is also bringing in Aaron Mutscheller, who will become the company’s president of Anthropologie Home and Terrain, leading the brand’s design, buying, production and global sourcing. Mutscheller joins the company with experience from Williams Sonoma, Serena & Lily and Nickey Kehoe.
Dive Insight:
In a statement, the company said it made these appointments to position itself for future growth. Narayanan, Thrasher and Mutscheller step into their new roles following Anthropologie’s 30th anniversary last September.
“These leaders have extensive retail, merchandising, and business transformation experience and a deep understanding of the Anthropologie customer and brand," Tricia Smith, global CEO of Anthropologie Group, said in a statement. "With our loyal community at the heart of every decision we make, I know that Anu, Holly, and Aaron will lead the teams to elevate, advance, and enhance our ever-evolving merchandising strategies.”
Anthropologie Group is appointing new leaders as it plans to grow its store footprint and generate more e-commerce sales. In an April 10-K filing, the company said it planned to open eight Anthropologie stores and close six in 2024 due to expiring leases. It also said it anticipates more store and digital channel growth following expansion internationally and domestically.
In a Q4 earnings call, Francis Conforti, chief operating officer and co-president of Urban Outfitters, Inc., attributed the Anthropologie Group’s in-store and digital comp growth in part to home, apparel and accessories categories. Richard Hayne, CEO of Urban Outfitters, Inc., noted that Anthropologie’s revenue growth “until recently” was driven by the outperformance of home products, but that growth has slowed as the COVID-19 pandemic has entered a new phase. However, women’s apparel and accessories could drive sales growth for the brand in the future, Hayne said during the call.
