Body Central adds apparel expertise

Veteran apparel merchant Celia Clancy spent time at Bradlees, Walmart and TJX Companies. Now she is the newest member of struggling specialty retailer Body Central’s board of directors.



Clancy joins the board of the value priced specialty retailer as its 271 stores are in free fall. The company reported a 23.1% same store sales decline for the third quarter ended Sept. 27 after a 22.6% comp decline in the period ended June 28. Total third quarter revenues declined 28.6% to $43.4 million from $60.8 million. A third quarter operating loss of $24.3 million was worse than the prior year loss of $15.5 million.



"We are so pleased that Celia Clancy will be bringing to our board her extensive executive experience and expertise in the retail, merchant and e-commerce spaces," said Fred Lamster, Body Central’s board chairman. "Ms. Clancy brings a level of merchandising expertise to the organization that will add value to our continued turnaround efforts. Celia's successful track record of providing leadership and driving shareholder value on behalf of significant retailers and their business units, with a special focus on the diverse female consumer of moderate means which is the key demographic to our brand, will provide us with meaningful guidance as we continue to re-focus our company on its core nightlife product strategy while seeking out opportunities for enhancing value."



Clancy is well known in apparel circles. She was with now defunct regional discounter Bradlees from 1982 to 1997 and also held a senior merchandising role at Walmart from 1997 to 2005. She served as president of the AJWright division of the TJX Companies from 2007 to 2011. More recently she served as president and CEO of Ashely Stewart.