Rack Room Shoes Elevates Brian Burnett, Molly Hartney
Brian Burnett has been promoted to senior vice president, chief merchandise officer. He was senior vice president, general merchandise officer. In his expanded role, Burnett will lead the shoe retailer's product and merchandising strategies, while driving innovation and ensuring alignment across vendor relations, inventory management and product sourcing. A nine-year veteran, Burnett introduced exclusive brand partnerships and played a pivotal role in expanding core product categories to meet evolving customer demand, the company said.
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Molly Hartney was promoted to chief digital officer, a newly created role. She joined the company in 2021 as chief marketing officer, and drove a 40 percent increase in customer retention under her leadership as well as a 36 percent improvement in company productivity. Harney will strengthen Rack Room's digital presence and optimize its digital sales portfolio to integrate the company's marketing functions with its digital sales and omnichannel strategies.
The company will not be hiring a new chief marketing officer. A spokeswoman for the company said Hartney will retain her marketing responsibilities and integrate those functions with the digital sales and omnichannel strategies.
'These strategic leadership changes and organizational realignments are pivotal in our ongoing efforts to streamline operations and enhance alignment,' said Mark Lardie, Rack Room's president and CEO. 'Brian, with his deep understanding of consumer trends and merchandising excellence, and Molly, a creative marketing and digital innovator, are uniquely positioned to propel Rack Room Shoes forward. By optimizing our merchandising and digital strategies under their exceptional leadership, we are ensuring sustained success in a dynamic market.'
The Charlotte, N.C.-based retailer is over 100 years old and operates over 520 locations nationwide under the banners Rack Room Shoes and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse.
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