C-SUITE

Rue 21 has added the positions of COO and chief marketing officer to its executive roster.   The chain has promoted Dirk Armstrong to COO. Armstrong has been with rue21 for nearly five years and was formerly senior VP and director of stores. Previously, he served as senior VP, director of stores at Ann Taylor and regional director at Gap Inc.   

Land’s End has appointed a seasoned fashion and luggage veteran as its next chief executive.    The apparel retailer named Jerome Griffith to be its next CEO, effective March 6, 2017. Griffith most recently served as president and CEO of upscale luggage brand Tumi Holdings from 2009 until its sale in August 2016 to Samsonite International. He will also join the Lands’ End board of directors.  

Staples has appointed Faisal Masud to the newly created role of chief technology officer.     Masud had previously served as executive VP of global e-ecommerce since joining the company in May, 2013. Prior to Staples, he served as VP and general manager for Groupon, responsible for managing Groupon Goods’ global strategy and execution. He also held various leadership roles at eBay and Amazon.  

Rent-A-Center has appointed Lety Nettles to fill the newly created position of VP of digital integration.   Most recently she served as a technology executive designing integration framework and change practices for Walmart.      

The past year brought with it seismic shifts as the retail industry continued to adapt to the evolving digital landscape and changing shopping habits. It also brought with it a changing of the guard, as many companies anointed new leaders to steer their ships in a transformed marketplace.    Here are six newly arrived (or soon to arrive) CEOs to keep an eye on in 2017:    Jeff Gennette, Macy’s Inc.

The new year will bring a new finance chief to Tailored Brands.  

Still on the hunt for a new chief executive, Pier 1 Imports has tapped its chairman to serve in the role on an interim basis.     The home furnishings and décor retailer has appointed Terry E. London, chairman of the board, to the position of interim president and CEO. His appointment takes effect on January 1, 2017, in conjunction with the planned departure of Alex W. Smith, the current president and CEO of Pier I, on December 31, 2016.