Christopher & Banks Corp., a specialty women’s apparel retailer, has appointed Keri Jones as CEO effective March 12, 2018. Jones will succeed interim CEO and President Joel Waller in the role.
Waller, who started after then-CEO and President LuAnn Via resigned in January 2017, will continue as a Board member and in a consulting capacity for the near future, according to a company statement.
Jones has more than 30 years of experience at DICK’S Sporting Goods and Target. In her most recent role as Executive VP and Chief Merchant at DICK’S, Jones was responsible for the strategy and execution of merchandising, product development and planning, allocation and replenishment.
Advertisement
Prior to DICK’S, Jones spent 27 years at Target, where she served in a variety of leadership roles, including Executive VP of Global Supply Chain; Executive VP of Merchandising Planning and Operations; Senior Vice President of Health and Beauty; and Vice President, General Merchandise Manager, Toys and Sporting Goods.
The company hopes that Jones can help bring the Christopher & Banks brand back to profitability. In an attempt to reverse sales declines, Waller has been increasing the mix of fashion items in the company’s product lineup and refreshing merchandise more frequently to freshen stores. Despite these recent changes, the retailer’s sales and profits continued to fall in the past year. In its most recent quarter, comparable sales fell 5%.
