Value apparel retailer Body Central has announced a series of changes to its management team, including the promotion of Patti Simigran to SVP and general merchandise manager.
Simigran, who will retain her role as senior vice president of e-commerce and direct merchandising, will also assume merchandising responsibilities for Body Central stores. She succeeds Andrea Jackson who announced her decision to step down.
Prior to joining the company, Simigran held various merchandising positions at Maurice's Tabi International, David's Bridal, Sears Holdings and Land's End.
Scott Graner, meanwhile, has been appointed as vice president and merchandise manager. With more than 25 years of retail experience, Graner has previously worked at The Limited, Victoria's Secret and Macy's. In his new role, Graner will oversee jewellery, accessories, shoes, outerwear, intimate apparel and activewear.
In addition, Body Central said several veteran merchandising staff will assume expanded product category responsibilities to "better support sales improvement, particularly in key product categories such as tops and dresses".
Body Central CEO Brian Woolf said: "The merchandising team changes announced today are designed to refocus our efforts on underperforming categories through both the addition of new talent and the reallocation of proven internal talent. These changes will be critical to improving our store merchandising assortments."
Show the press release Body Central Corp. Announces Merchandising Team Changes
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Jan. 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Body Central Corp. (Nasdaq:BODY) today announced changes to their merchandising organization.
The Company has made several changes to the merchandising and e-Commerce groups to better align responsibilities. Patti Simigran has been promoted to Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager from Senior Vice President e-Commerce & Direct Merchandising. Ms. Simigran will assume merchandising responsibilities for Body Central Stores in addition to her lead role over the e-Commerce and Direct Merchandising functions. Ms. Simigran has been instrumental in updating the Company's website, developing new customer communication initiatives and expanding the merchandising assortment of the e-Commerce business. Prior to joining Body Central, Ms. Simigran held several senior-level merchandising positions including Chief Merchandising Officer of Maurice's and Chief Merchandising Officer of Tabi International, along with additional key merchandising roles at David's Bridal, Sears Holdings and Land's End.
The Company has also appointed Scott Graner as Vice President and Merchandise Manager. Mr. Graner comes to Body Central with over 25 years of retail experience and will oversee jewelry, accessories, shoes, outerwear, intimate apparel and activewear. Mr. Graner brings a strong blend of both specialty and department store experience that includes The Limited, Victoria's Secret and Macy's. Mr. Graner will report directly to Ms. Simigran.
In addition to Ms. Simigran's promotion and the addition of Mr. Graner, the merchandising team has been further realigned to better support sales improvement, particularly in key product categories such as tops and dresses. Several veteran merchandising associates with track records of strong sales growth in select categories will assume expanded product category responsibilities.
Separately, the Company announced that Andrea Jackson has left her position of Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager effective January 6, 2014.
Brian Woolf, Body Central's CEO, stated: "The merchandising team changes announced today are designed to refocus our efforts on underperforming categories through both the addition of new talent and the reallocation of proven internal talent. These changes will be critical to improving our store merchandising assortments."
