Kirk Palmer Associates Assists Ashley Stewart in Finding New CEO
January 15, 2021 – Retailers are facing major shifts in their businesses that call for “unprecedented responses” by CEOs who can effectively lead through change, intuitively and analytically understand the evolving consumer and respond to ambiguity, according to Korn Ferry. Developed markets, excess retail capacity, rising prices, the shift to omni-channel retail and the unpredictable pace of change in consumer shopping habits all affect the type of leader retailers now need. And so much continues to evolve as the global pandemic takes aim at the retail sector.
But retail organizations still need leadership – arguably more now than ever. One example: Retail-focused executive search firm Kirk Palmer Associates recently assisted fashion retailer Ashley Stewart in the recruitment of Gary Sheinbaum as its new CEO. “As one of the apparel industry’s most skilled, accomplished, experienced and respected leaders, we know Gary will take Ashley Stewart to the next level and beyond as the preeminent brand that delivers uncompromising style, fashion, confidence and empowerment to the Ashley Stewart customer,” said Ashley Stewart board director Chris Larson.
Mr. Sheinbaum joins Ashley Stewart after over 25 years at Tommy Hilfiger and PVH, where he was most recently CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Americas. During his tenure, he guided the Tommy Hilfiger brand through numerous stages of growth and transformation with product innovation, digital initiatives, expansion of leading wholesale partnerships and enhanced customer experiences. At Tommy Hilfiger, Mr. Sheinbaum expanded the products available on North American E-Commerce by offering a mix of the best products from the company’s global assortment. In addition, under his leadership, Tommy Hilfiger’s licensing business saw strong results and growth year over year in key categories including women’s apparel and outerwear, luggage, tailored men’s apparel, kids’ apparel, watches and jewelry, and footwear. Throughout North America, he elevated the Tommy Company Store experience through technology and store design.
Mr. Sheinbaum was named CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Americas in 2014. In this role, he led the North American business and oversaw Tommy Hilfiger’s Latin America operations. Previously, Mr. Sheinbaum served as CEO of Tommy Hilfiger, North America beginning in 2009. Since joining the company in 1995, he worked in various capacities including president of specialty retail, president of retail development for the U.S. wholesale business and group president, North America for outlet, specialty retail and E-Commerce. Prior to joining PVH, Mr. Sheinbaum was the president of J. Crew Retail for five years. Prior to J. Crew, he was the managing director of the Polo Mansion on Madison Avenue. He began his career at Macy’s New York in a variety of store line and buying positions.
“I was drawn to the opportunity to lead Ashley Stewart at this important time in the company’s development,” Mr. Sheinbaum said. “Ashley Stewart has uniquely passionate and loyal customers and an authentic brand, making it well-positioned for significant expansion in the growing plus segment.”
Fashion and Value
Since its founding in 1991, Ashley Stewart has stood for uncompromising style, fashion, and value, championing the confidence and empowerment of women. Today, Ashley Stewart is a leading omni-channel retailer offering the hottest looks for women sizes 10 to 36 with a significant E-Commerce presence and 83 stores across the U.S.
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Since its founding in 1987, Kirk Palmer Associates has grown globally, helping retailers hire CEOs, presidents and front-of-house executives spanning a wide array of marketing, merchandising, stores, sales, e-commerce and digital leadership roles.
Kirk Palmer Associates is made up of retail and fashion industry veterans. The firm’s partners have placed more than 1,000 CEOs, presidents, vice presidents and other senior executives at over 200 retail and wholesale companies across all channels, sectors and functional areas.
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
