From Sears Canada to head of Sephora Americas
Beauty retailer Sephora has appointed former Sears Canada and Loblaws executive Calvin McDonald as president and CEO of Sephora Americas, effective Jan. 1, 2014.
McDonald succeeds David Suliteanu, who has led Sephora since July 2000. Suliteanu is becoming the CEO of Kendo Brands, a separate LVMH entity, which creates new beauty brands, as well as acquires brands. The Kendo portfolio today includes brands, such as Ole Henriksen, Kat von D, Formula X and Marc Jacobs Beauty, with others in development.
“Calvin McDonald has established himself as a visionary and highly talented industry leader at two of Canada’s largest and most important retailers. We are delighted to welcome him to Sephora Americas. He will focus on building on the extraordinary growth of the business in new and existing markets and continue Sephora’s exceptional track record of industry leadership driven by David Suliteanu,” stated Christopher de Lapuente, CEO of Sephora Global and a member of the Executive Committee of LVMH. “David is moving on to lead Kendo, an incubator of exciting and creative brands beauty brands. I am delighted that he will continue to contribute to the success of Sephora and LVMH.”
Under Suliteanu's leadership, Sephora has revolutionized the beauty industry in North America, by creating an entirely new retail shopping experience. Today, Sephora Americas offers in excess of 200 classic and emerging brands. Suliteanu and his team have: expanded Sephora’s base of stores in North America to more than 330; opened the Latin American market; led Sephora’s successful partnership with JCPenney now with more than 400 locations; launched Beauty Insider, Sephora’s client-loyalty program; and driven state-of-the-art enhancements to Sephora’s digital strategy.
“Thanks to a phenomenal team and the support of LVMH, the last 13 years at Sephora have been amazing. Based on his background in creating new and exciting consumer experiences, Calvin will be a great leader for the Sephora Americas team,” Suliteanu stated. “I am excited about the opportunity to continue to work with LVMH and Sephora in growing this new business model that a few years ago was just an idea.”
Added Mc Donald, “It is thrilling to be joining Sephora Americas, which is known across the retail industry for not only having revolutionized the beauty business, but also for delivering a consistent stream of innovation in terms of merchandise, experience and digital capabilities that excite and inspire customers. I am looking forward to working with the exceptional Sephora team to build on what they have accomplished under David’s leadership. Sephora Americas is an amazing success story, and I am proud and privileged to work with our cast members, brand partners and customers and colleagues worldwide as we work to take Sephora Americas to the next level of innovation and growth."
Both Sephora Americas and Kendo will report to de Lapuente.
Prior to accepting the position at Sephora Americas, McDonald was named president of CEO of Sears Canada in 2011. McDonald began his career at the Loblaw Cos., which is Canada’s largest food retailer with more than $32 billion in sales and is known for its private-label products across a variety of categories, including health and beauty, apparel, food and others. During his 18-year tenure at Loblaw, McDonald held various roles of increasing seniority across its many divisions. Among his many achievements was launching the most successful and integrated category campaign for President’s Choice, the most successful private brand in Canada, as well as launching the “Recipes to Riches” TV show.