Francesca's taps Penney exec to head up merchandising
Francesca's Holdings Corp. has appointed a retail veteran as its new chief merchant.
The specialty retailer named Ivy R. Spargo as senior VP and chief merchandising officer, effective Nov. 27. She succeeds Laurie Hummel, who left the chain in August after less than two years in the position. No reason was given for her departure, but the chain cited missteps in merchandising for its disappointing second quarter performance.
Spargo was most recently senior VP, general merchandise manager of Sephora inside J.C. Penney and women’s specialty apparel for Penney, where she was responsible for developing and leading the strategic plan and direction for these businesses.
Prior to joining Penney in 2013, Spargo served as VP and general merchandise manager for women’s apparel and accessories at Lands’ End Inc. Before that, she held various merchandising roles at Nike Inc. She also worked at The Limited.
"Ivy is a strong leader and a strategic thinker who has a deep specialty retail background and brings with her more than 20 years of retail experience," stated Steve Lawrence, president and CEO, Francesca's, which operates 692 stores. "We believe that Ivy’s insights and expertise will enable her to quickly embrace our target customer as she guides the team in consistently delivering a broad and shallow assortment of unique fashion at great value to the Francesca’s customer.”
The specialty retailer named Ivy R. Spargo as senior VP and chief merchandising officer, effective Nov. 27. She succeeds Laurie Hummel, who left the chain in August after less than two years in the position. No reason was given for her departure, but the chain cited missteps in merchandising for its disappointing second quarter performance.
Spargo was most recently senior VP, general merchandise manager of Sephora inside J.C. Penney and women’s specialty apparel for Penney, where she was responsible for developing and leading the strategic plan and direction for these businesses.
Prior to joining Penney in 2013, Spargo served as VP and general merchandise manager for women’s apparel and accessories at Lands’ End Inc. Before that, she held various merchandising roles at Nike Inc. She also worked at The Limited.
"Ivy is a strong leader and a strategic thinker who has a deep specialty retail background and brings with her more than 20 years of retail experience," stated Steve Lawrence, president and CEO, Francesca's, which operates 692 stores. "We believe that Ivy’s insights and expertise will enable her to quickly embrace our target customer as she guides the team in consistently delivering a broad and shallow assortment of unique fashion at great value to the Francesca’s customer.”