Changes at the top for The Container Store

Kip Tindell, chairman and CEO of The Container Store, is giving up his CEO title. He will continue as chairman of the company, which he co-founded in 1978..



Melissa Reiff, currently president and COO of the retailer, will become CEO on July 1, 2016. Reiff joined The Container Store in 1995 as VP of sales and marketing, assuming the role of executive VP of stores in 2003. She was named president in 2006, and COO in 2013. In her roles, she has been responsible for all aspects of store sales, management, communication and training, as well as advertising, online business marketing, public relations and new store launches. She also spearheaded the retailer’s growth plan.



In addition, Sharon Tindell will add president to her current chief merchandising officer role. Tindell is credited with being the visionary behind The Container Store’s product mix – and keeping the company’s focus on staying devoted solely to storage and organization product



“Succession planning has always been a huge priority and something that my mentors encouraged me to have a tremendous focus on – especially for such a culture-rich company like The Container Store,” said Kip Tindall. “I’ve had the incredible fortune and honor of leading The Container Store alongside Melissa and Sharon for decades and I’m thrilled to ring in this long-planned for, much-deserved succession in management. They’ve always represented the two hemispheres that make up our wonderful company and, in these roles, will partner even more closely with each other and our other newly elevated leadership team to execute the Company’s strategic vision of ‘closet domination’ and a superior and differentiated customer experience. I truly can’t imagine a more capable duo and team to help The Container Store really spread its wings and lead our company into the future.”



In other changes, CFO Jodi Taylor will add chief administrative officer responsibility to her current role, and Melissa Collins was named chief marketing officer. Eva Gordon, Audrey Robertson and John Thrailkill are being promoted to executive VPs.



All the changes become effective July 1, 2016.