Claire's names head of North American division

CHICAGO - Claire's Stores has announced the appointment of Jay Friedman as president of the North American division, reporting to Gene Kahn, CEO, effective immediately.

In his position, Friedman will lead both the Claire's and Icing businesses and will have direct oversight of buying, planning and allocation, supply chain, stores and overall operations of approximately 2,000 stores in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Friedman joins Claire's from Jones Apparel Group, Inc. where he was most recently president, and CEO of Jones Retail Corp., Nine West Group.