Specialty retailer names new CEO

Land’s End has appointed a seasoned fashion and luggage veteran as its next chief executive.



The apparel retailer named Jerome Griffith to be its next CEO, effective March 6, 2017. Griffith most recently served as president and CEO of upscale luggage brand Tumi Holdings from 2009 until its sale in August 2016 to Samsonite International. He will also join the Lands’ End board of directors.



From 2002 to February 2009, Griffith was employed at Esprit Holdings Limited, where he was promoted to COO and appointed to the board in 2004, then promoted to president of Esprit North and South America in 2006.



From 1999 to 2002, he worked as an executive VP at Tommy Hilfiger. From 1998 to 1999, he worked as the president of retail at the J. Peterman Company, a catalog-based apparel and retail company. From 1989 through 1998, he worked in various positions of increasing responsibility at Gap.



At Land’s End, Griffith will succeed Joseph Boitano and James Gooch, who have served as co-interim CEOs since September, when CEO Federica Marchionni was forced out after less than two years amid an ongoing sales slump.



“After a comprehensive search conducted by Heidrick & Struggles, we are thrilled to welcome Jerome Griffith as Lands’ End’s next CEO,” said Josephine Linden, chairman of the board. "Jerome is an exceptionally gifted leader with an impressive track record of spearheading growth and expansion at several iconic apparel and consumer goods companies. Over the course of his career, Jerome has demonstrated a special talent for innovation in design and functionality to attract new customers while upholding the quality, value, service, and products that current customers love.”