Foot Locker Inc. said Richard Johnson will be promoted to executive vice president and group president with responsibility for all of the company’s domestic and international store banners. Key operational areas will be consolidated under Robert McHugh, who will be promoted to the new position of executive vice president – operations support, with responsibility for information systems and technology, real estate, logistics, sourcing and team edition.
Finally, the company will elevate its direct-to-customer business unit to report directly to Ken Hicks, its chairman, president and chief executive officer.
The moves, according to Foot Locker’s statement, are “designed to enhance its focus on its two key business units – retail stores and direct-to-customer, and to strengthen the operations supporting each unit.” The changes take effect, July 1, 2011.
Hicks said, “This senior management reorganization will allow us to focus our key business units on improving our execution and continue to build on the success of our businesses. In particular, consistent with our strategic priorities, it will also enable us to strengthen our brands and put more emphasis on our high potential growth areas of .com and international development.”
In conjunction with today’s announcements, the company said that Lauren B. Peters will be promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer, succeeding McHugh, who had held the position since 2005. Peters was previously senior vice president of strategic planning, a position she has held since 2002, where she helped to lead the development and implementation of our current long-range strategy.
Hicks said, “It is a tribute to our deep and highly talented bench of management talent that we are able to make these significant changes within our organization. As we work together to take advantage of the opportunities ahead, I am sure that these moves will provide strong opportunities for our company and our associates.”
Johnson currently serves as president and CEO – Foot Locker U.S., Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker and Footaction, and has been with the company since 1997. Succeeding Johnson in his current position is Stephen “Jake” Jacobs, president and CEO of Champs Sports. Bryon Milburn will assume those responsibilities from Jacobs, and Milburn will be succeeded as managing director – Foot Locker Canada by Nick Jones, who is currently general merchandise manager of Foot Locker Europe.
Ronald J. Halls, currently president and CEO – Foot Locker, Inc., International, will retire later this summer.
Hicks stated, “Ron has made a number of important contributions to the company during his 11-year tenure at Foot Locker, Inc. and we thank him for his leadership and hard work. We wish Ron the best on his well-deserved retirement.”
