DSW Inc. appointed Christopher Lanning as senior vice president and general manager of the leased business division. Lanning will be responsible for managing DSW's existing leased business client base and developing new account relationships.
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“Chris is an innovative and customer-focused executive with a demonstrated record of success in multiple retail and consumer channels,” said Michael MacDonald, CEO of DSW Inc. “We are excited to add Chris to our senior leadership team and confident he will further develop our Leased Business Division.”
DSW currently operates 353 shoe departments in conjunction with leased business partners, which include Steinmart, Gordmans, Filene's Basement and Frugal Fannie's. Lanning succeeds Raymond Blanton, who announced in March 2010 that he would be retiring in early 2011. “Ray has provided invaluable leadership to our leased business operations. We appreciate all of Ray's contributions and his leadership in preparing the business for this transition,” MacDonald added.
With over 26 years in the retail industry, Lanning's career includes previous executive leadership roles at Victoria's Secret Stores, Bath & Body Works, The Coca-Cola Company and Gap, Inc. He joins DSW most recently from his position as President, CTL Retail Partners, LLC, a retail operations consultant and services practice, established by Lanning to partner with retail executive teams in the development of multi-channel business growth strategies.
As of Jan. 24, 2011, DSW operated 311 stores in 39 states and operated an e-commerce site, www.dsw.com. DSW also supplied footwear to 353 leased locations in the United States.
