Luxury retailer taps Bergdorf Goodman exec to lead brand growth
Coach Inc. has tapped a 26-year fashion veteran to lead the company as its expands its brand portfolio.
Joshua Schulman has been named president and CEO of the Coach brand, effective June 5. In this newly created role, Schulman will be responsible for all aspects of the brand globally, reporting directly to Victor Luis, CEO of Coach, Inc. This new leadership structure follows the 2015 acquisition of Stuart Weitzman, and is an important step in Coach, Inc.’s evolution as a customer-focused, multi-brand organization, the retailer said.
His appointment will be key in helping the retailer add more brands to its portfolio, a move that will also strategically position Coach Inc. as a luxury goods group, according to The Business of Fashion.
Previously, Schulman served as president, Bergdorf Goodman and NMG International, for the Neiman Marcus Group. Schulman joined Neiman Marcus Group in 2012 and assumed additional responsibility for NMG International with the acquisition of MyTheresa.com in 2014. From 2007 until 2012, Mr. Schulman was CEO of Jimmy Choo, Ltd.
Prior to Jimmy Choo, Schulman served in senior executive roles at global retail and luxury brands, including managing director, international strategic alliances, Gap, Inc., executive VP, worldwide merchandising and wholesale, Yves Saint Laurent, as well as worldwide director, women’s ready-to-wear, Gucci.
“I’ve known Josh for many years and had always hoped to attract him to Coach. He lives and breathes our industry and brings a unique blend of brand building and broad retail experience to the company, making him the ideal person for this newly created role” said Luis. “I couldn’t be more excited to have Josh lead the Coach brand.”
The company also announced that Ian Bickley, will be promoted to the new role of president, global business development and strategic alliances for Coach, Inc., effective July 2. Bickley, who is currently president, international group for the Coach brand, will be responsible for strategic partnerships across brands.
Bickley will oversee the company’s global real estate development and will partner with the brand presidents in leading strategic distributor relationships, licensing partnerships and collaborations. He will also be a key leader in the further development of Coach, Inc.’s multi-brand strategy.
Bickley will continue to report directly to Luis.
Finally, Andre Cohen, currently president, North America and global marketing for the Coach brand, will be leaving the company at the end of June to return to Asia with his family. Cohen, who has been with Coach since 2008, was instrumental in Coach’s development in Asia and has been spearheading the execution of the brand’s transformation strategy in the North American market over the last two years, the retailer reported.