Macy’s chief operating and financial officer to exit

Dive Brief:

In pursuit of its transformation strategy, Macy’s, Inc. on Tuesday announced a series of leadership changes across its banners. 
Chief Operating and Financial Officer Adrian Mitchell is leaving the company, effective June 21, and will be replaced by Thomas Edwards the following day. Edwards joins from Capri Holdings, where he serves in the same role and leads finance, information technology and supply chain.
Macy’s Chief Stores Officer Barbie Cameron, who was named to the role permanently in February, will report to CEO Tony Spring effective June 22. Bluemercury CEO Maly Bernstein, who has held that position since 2021, will report to Bloomingdale’s CEO Olivier Bron effective May 1.

Dive Insight:

This series of executive changes completes a “purposeful evolution of the Macy’s, Inc. leadership team,” according to Spring. Since Spring was tapped to take over the department store in 2023, Macy’s has brought on a new chief marketing officer, hired Spring’s successor to lead Bloomingdale’s, named a chief information officer and tapped a chief customer and digital officer.

“I am confident that we have the right talent to support the return of Macy’s, Inc. to enterprise growth,” Spring said in a statement. 

The executive also thanked Mitchell for his time at Macy’s, including his “vital role in steering us through the pandemic and laying the groundwork for our ongoing revitalization.” Spring said the business’ financial position was “significantly” strengthened under Mitchell, and the department store modernized its finance and operational capabilities.

Edwards, who will replace Mitchell, has spent eight years at Capri Holdings and led the acquisitions of Versace and Jimmy Choo. He brings experience integrating brands and implementing shared systems and capabilities, among other things. Capri Holdings is currently searching for Edwards’ replacement, but Michael Kors CFO Rajal Mehta and Capri Holdings Chief Supply Chain Officer Patricia Gabrial will take on his responsibilities and report to Capri CEO John Idol in the meantime.

The leadership changes at Macy’s come a few months after the retailer announced the first slate of store closures in a plan that will see the department store shutter about 150 over a three-year period. Also key to the plan is a revamp of its merchandise: After a series of changes to its private label apparel assortment, the department store is focused on the home category this year.

Spring in recent months also pushed back on the idea of spinning off Bloomingdale’s or Bluemercury, an idea floated by activist investors in December, arguing that the three are stronger together thanks to back-end synergies.