Dive Brief:

• Still financially wobbly months after emerging from bankruptcy and searching for a new direction in an especially volatile apparel market, Tailored Brands, which runs Men's Wearhouse, Jos. A. Bank, Moores Clothing for Men and K&G Fashion Superstore, on Monday announced the hire of three executives from outside the company. 

• Former J.C. Penney chief merchant John Tighe was named chief customer officer, Nike and Gap veteran Karla Gray is chief stores officer and Lowe's stores chief Tim Cooksey is senior vice president of real estate, according to a company press release.

• Since his 2017 departure from Penney, Tighe had been at menswear manufacturer Peerless, which makes apparel for labels like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger. Gray spent 14 years at Gap Inc. and 16 at Nike, where she led global retail operations, among other duties. Cooksey has worked in real estate, lease administration and facility management for more than 30 years, 15 of them at Lowe's.

Dive Insight:

Tailored Brands is turning to highly experienced retail veterans at a time when many apparel companies, after years of focusing on data, are coming around to the value of human expertise.

"The experience these three leaders bring to the business will further accelerate our success — particularly when combined with their energy, commitment and strong focus on developing high-performing teams," Bob Hull, one of the company's interim co-chief executives, said in a statement.

Tailored Brands has continued to grapple with financial difficulties even after emerging from bankruptcy late last year and is attempting to start fresh at a difficult time for menswear. While there appears to be some pent-up demand for apparel, including for dressier styles, most observers believe that the years-long decline in traditional office garb and formal occasion attire is likely to endure.

The company has already moved to meet the shifting demand, including with a "work leisure" collection from Michael Strahan launched last month.