Former Sam’s Club private brand leader named CEO of Michaels
A former chief merchant at Sam’s Club, overseeing the private brand strategy among other tasks, has been named President and Chief Executive Officer of Irving, Texas-based The Michaels Cos.
Ashley Buchanan will serve as the company’s new CEO and take a seat on the company's board of directors effective Jan. 6, but he won’t fully follow current CEO Mark Cosby until Cosby completes a transition period ending April 1, 2020. Cosby will remain a member of the board of directors after the CEO transition.
Buchanan most recently served as chief merchandising officer and chief operating officer at Walmart U.S. eCommerce, leading a team on the retailer’s digital efforts. Before that, he was chief merchant at Sam’s Club, leading the retailer’s giant private brand strategy, which saw the launch of more than 600 private label items between 2016-2017 and surpassing more than 1,200 items by 2018.
As chief merchant, Buchanan also oversaw assortment, pricing, global sourcing, packaging, replenishment and the supply chain. He also served in a broad set of senior merchandising roles at Walmart.
At Michaels, Buchanan leads a crafting company that does have more than 10 private brands, including exclusive yarns, crafting tools, art supplies and more.
“Michaels is an iconic brand, and I am excited about the tremendous opportunity we have in front of us to reimagine and redefine the experience of our ‘Makers,’” said Buchanan. “I believe we can engage them in innovative new ways and unleash the power of their inner maker. Our community is unique, and I am thrilled about the opportunity to lead our Makers centered strategy and help take Michaels to a whole new level.”