Ross Stores Updates Merchandising Leadership Team
Ross Stores has updated its merchandising team and feels the moves will help the retailer strengthen the execution of its off-price strategies and drive market share gains.
Effective December 1, Karen Fleming is being promoted to president and chief merchandising officer, at Ross Dress for Less, continuing to report directly to Barbara Rentler, CEO.
Fleming is currently president and chief merchandising officer of dd’s Discounts and is responsible for directing all aspects of merchandising at dd’s. In her new role, Ms. Fleming will oversee the merchandising responsibilities at Ross Dress for Less.
Karen Sykes will become president and chief merchandising officer, dd’s Discount, also continuing to report directly to Rentler. Sykes will replace Fleming upon her promotion.
Sykes currently serves as executive vice president, Merchandising overseeing Men’s and Children’s at Ross Dress for Less. In her new role, she will direct all aspects of merchandising at dd’s.
“Karen Fleming is a gifted and seasoned executive with over two decades at our company serving in different leadership roles at both Ross Dress for Less and dd’s Discounts,” said Rentler. “I’m excited for Karen as she takes on this new role leading the merchandising efforts for the entire Ross Dress for Less chain.”
She continued, “Karen Sykes is a skilled merchant with over three decades of experience within our organization. I’m delighted for Karen’s well-deserved promotion, where she will lead the dd’s Discounts merchandising team. I believe her in-depth knowledge of the off-price business and demonstrated leadership skills will drive continued profitable growth at dd’s.”
