CEO of women’s apparel chain out in abrupt departure

The CEO of Lane Bryant has stepped down just four months after receiving a big promotion.



Linda Heasley has resigned as chief executive of plus-sized apparel retailers Lane Bryant and Catherines, which are owned by Ascena Retail, The New York Post reported. Heasley was appointed CEO of Lane Bryant in 2013, after a successful six year stint as chief executive of The Limited. She was given the additional title of CEO of Catherines this past October as part of a company reorganization.



At Lane Bryant, Heasley worked to put a positive spin on consumers’ perceptions of plus-size clothing options.



Ascena, which also operates Ann Taylor, Ann Taylor Loft, Dressbarn, Justice and Maurices, is coming off a disappointing holiday season, with total same-store sales down 3.1% over the period. Lane Bryant’s holiday sales were down 5.1%.



Ascena confirmed to The Post that Heasley has “resigned and is no longer with the business” effective Jan. 18. But the company declined to comment further on her departure.