Macy’s head merchant Gennette named president

Jeffrey Gennette will take on the new role of president at Macy's after serving the past five years as the department store retailer’s chief merchandising officer.

Gennette will report to Macy’s chairman and CEO Terry Lundgren and retain day-to-day responsibility for Macy's merchandising functions, as well as oversight of marketing and macys.com. In addition, he assumes oversight responsibility for Macy's private brands organization.

"Jeff Gennette is an outstanding merchant who has proven to be an insightful strategist and strong leader in our company," Lundgren said. "As our president, with the additional responsibility for Macy's private brands, Gennette will have a total view of Macy's merchandise assortment and marketing strategy - both in stores and online - consistent with our omnichannel vision. Our exclusive private brands, which have provided a powerful competitive advantage for Macy's, will continue to play a vitally important role in delivering fashion, quality and value to our customers."

Gennette, 52, has nearly two decades of experience at Macys. Prior the five years he spent as chief merchandising officer, he served as chairman and CEO of Macy's West for the previous year, and was chairman and CEO of Macy's Northwest in Seattle from December 2005 to February 2008. Before that, Gennette was EVP and director of stores for Macy's Central in Atlanta and SVP/general merchandise manager at Macy's West. Gennette joined Macy's West in 1983 as an executive trainee and held various merchant and store management positions in that division. During his career, Gennette also has served as a store manager for FAO Schwarz and director of stores for Broadway Stores.



Macy's ended last year with 840 stores and annual sales of nearly $28 billion.