Borders names new merchandising VP
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Borders Group announced that it is welcoming back Kathryn Popoff as VP merchandising, overseeing the promotion and merchandising of adult trade and bargain books. An 18-year retail industry veteran, she joined Borders Group in 2002 as director of multimedia. She was named director merchandising for adult trade books in 2004, and was promoted in 2007 to VP merchandising, a post she held until Nov. 2009.
Larry Norton, who formerly served as SVP merchandising will transition into the role of SVP business development and publisher relations. Norton will now concentrate on long-term strategies to strengthen the book sector, including partnering with publishers and e-book provider Kobo to develop digital content with the overall goal of aggressively growing the company's e-book business. He will also work with publishers on initiatives directly related to lowering costs and increasing efficiencies within the supply chain
Children's merchandising director Renee Rockwood, a merchant with more than 16 years of experience, will now oversee gifts and stationery, children's toys and games and the company's expansion of adult games and puzzles. In addition, Rockwood will continue to manage the merchandising and promotion of the children's category.
Borders also recently welcomed 27-year book industry veteran Mike Ferrari as merchandising director trade books. Prior to coming to Borders, Ferrari served in a variety of capacities at Barnes & Noble, including director digital content for Barnes & Noble.com, director merchandising, divisional merchandising director, senior buyer and buyer on the corporate side.
Joanna Goldstein will move into the role of VP non-book merchandising, having previously served as VP marketing. In her new position, she will oversee the digital device and accessory category as well as calendar, newsstand and multimedia. Goldstein brings several years of experience to her new role having previously directed the merchandising and promotion of many of these categories.