Rack Room Shoes has appointed Mike Edwards, the former president of Famous Footwear, as CEO, succeeding the retiring Mark Lardie. Rack Room said the appointment comes after an extensive search led by Spencer Stuart, the recruitment agency. Lardie had been president and CEO for 14 years.
Guidance on the search was provided by Lardie and led by Manfred Kroneder, vice chairman of Rack Room Shoes’ parent company, the Deichmann Group. Edwards will work with Kroneder in a move designed to build on the company’s strong foundation and accelerate its ongoing focus on growth and innovation.
Rack Room said Edwards “is a veteran retail executive with more than two decades of experience and a strong track record of driving growth through consumer-focused strategy, digital innovation and operational leadership.” Edwards served as president of Famous Footwear from November 2020 to May 2025. He had been with Famous Footwear, owned by Caleres, for 17 years, holding responsibilities ranging from merchandising to marketing, e-commerce, and store operations.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Rack Room Shoes team,” said Edwards. “Mark Lardie and his leadership have built an incredibly impressive foundation, and I look forward to building on that success. My focus will be on accelerating our growth and ensuring Rack Room Shoes remains a leader in the footwear industry by continuing to innovate and exceed customer expectations.”
Heinrich Deichmann, chairman and CEO of the Deichmann Group, praised Lardie’s contributions and expressed confidence in the company’s future leadership.
“Mark Lardie’s dedication and insight have been critical to Rack Room Shoes’ success in the U.S. market,” said Deichmann. “Mike Edwards is a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of today’s retail landscape. We’re excited to see him build on Mark’s legacy and take Rack Room Shoes to new heights of innovation and excellence, including potential acquisitions, as we continue to grow our U.S. footprint.”
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carlina, Rack Room Shoes operates more than 500 locations nationwide under the Rack Room Shoes and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse brands.
Images courtesy Rack Room Shoes
