Dive Brief:
- Among a flurry of leadership announcements, Nordstrom appointed Jamie Nordstrom as the company’s chief merchandising officer. Jamie Nordstrom previously was the company’s chief stores officer and is cousin of CEO Erik Nordstrom and President and Chief Brand Officer Pete Nordstrom.
- Gemma Lionello was named president of Nordstrom Rack, according to a company press release. Lionello was most recently the senior vice president and regional manager of Nordstrom’s Northeast region.
- Fanya Chandler was appointed president of Nordstrom stores. She most recently was the senior vice president and regional manager of the department store’s Southwest region.
Dive Insight:
Jamie Nordstrom is taking over the role of chief merchandiser from Teri Bariquit, who retired from the position this year after nearly four decades with the company.
“Bariquit’s successor will need more than operational know-how. Specifically they will need an agile and fearless point of view that can translate American culture into an irresistible merchandising strategy,” Thomai Serdari, professor of luxury marketing and branding at New York University’s Stern School of Business, said at the time of the announcement.
Those qualities may be found in Jamie Nordstrom, who brings over 28 years of experience to his position. He has held leadership across a number of areas including merchandising, store operations and with the retailer’s full-line and Rack websites. Jamie Nordstrom will report to Pete Nordstrom.
Nordstrom went through a leadership shakeup a year ago, with both Rack President Geevy Thomas and Chief Marketing Officer Scott Meden retiring last spring after nearly four decades. At that time Jamie Nordstrom took on the role of chief stores officer, which expanded his previous role of president of Nordstrom stores to include Rack. Also announced at that point was the new role of chief customer officer for the overall company, which was filled by Nordstrom’s COO.
Lionello, who has been with the company for 35 years, has been in a number of executive positions including working 11 years with Rack. She will oversee the strategy and execution of Rack and expand its reach with new stores in key markets. The company in August announced the further expansion of the off-price business despite falling sales. The banner has opened eight new stores so far in 2023 and plans 11 more by the end of the year. Improving its performance remains a top priority, according to Erik Nordstrom.
“Gemma understands the core of our Rack offering: how we deliver exceptional customer service while offering customers the very best products at a terrific price,” Erik Nordstrom said in a statement. “Her depth of experience leading teams within our stores and merchandising organizations will be critical as we build on the positive momentum we've seen in our Rack business and continue to execute on our strategy."
Chandler, who now is the president of Nordstrom stores, has been with the company for nearly 32 years. In the past she has grown the retailer’s digital selling and styling programs, and oversaw Nordstrom and Rack stores within the Southwest region.
In the company’s latest earnings, Nordstrom reported that Q2 net sales fell 8.2% year over year, while e-commerce fell nearly 13%.
