Retail CEOs were on the move in January

Retailers took the “new year, new you” mantra and ran with it in January, with a slew of new CEO appointments across the industry this month. Here are the ones to know:

• Saks Global CEO Marc Metrick exited his role less than two weeks before the struggling department store giant filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. He was succeeded by executive chair Richard Baker, who led Saks through its largely unsuccessful Neiman Marcus Group acquisition. Baker was then replaced later in the month by former Neiman Marcus CEO Geoffroy van Raemdonck upon the company’s bankruptcy filing.
• Bed Bath and Beyond named executive chair Marcus Lemonis, former CEO of Camping World, as its CEO. The company simultaneously announced the ousting of COO Alexander Thomas, who had been appointed to the role in March.
• Incoming Walmart Inc CEO John Furner shared a number of new exec appointments, including chief e-commerce officer David Guggina as Furner’s successor as Walmart US CEO. Walmart International CEO Kathryn McLay exited her role, set to be taken over by Sam’s Club US CEO Chris Nicholas. That open space will then be filled by Walmart US Chief Merchandising Officer Latriece Watkins.
• Lidl US CEO Joel Rampoldt departed the discount grocer, with Lidl US Chief Customer Officer Marco Giudici taking over in the interim.
• Amid underwhelming sales, Heineken CEO Dolf van den Brink will step down from his role on May 31 after 28 years with the company and six as its chief exec, the beer giant announced.
• Giorgio Armani Corp tapped Gucci EMEA President Matteo Mascazzini as its CEO, leading the Armani Group’s business in the Americas.
• L.L.Bean CEO promoted Greg Elder, its chief stores officer, to the president and CEO role, filling the spot vacated by Stephen Smith, who will exit in the spring.
• Bottega Veneta CEO Bartolomeo Rongone is leaving his role to lead Moncler, succeeding Remo Ruffini, who will step down on April 1.
• Givenchy brought on former Stella McCartney CEO Amandine Ohayon as its new chief exec.
• Diesel’s new CEO is Andrea Rigogliosi, former global head of retail and commercial at Miu Miu.

New roles: Two companies also expanded their C-suites with new titles this month. Gap hired former Paramount exec Pam Kaufman as its first-ever EVP, chief entertainment officer to lead the retailer’s “Fashiontainment” efforts, while Coca-Cola appointed 20-year vet Sedef Salingan Sahin as its first chief digital officer, starting March 31.