Toys"R"Us promotes merchandising execs

Wayne, N.J. — Toys“R”Us has promoted two executives in its U.S. merchandising division. Richard Barry has been named SVP, chief merchandising officer for Toys"R"Us, U.S., and Lisa Harnisch has been appointed SVP general merchandising manager for toys, overseeing the merchandising function for the core toy, seasonal and learning product categories.

Barry is responsible for all aspects of merchandising initiatives for the company’s U.S. operations, including Toys“R”Us and Babies“R”Us stores nationwide and the FAO Schwarz flagship store in New York City. He reports to Jerry Storch, chairman and CEO, Toys“R”Us Inc.

Prior to this promotion, Barry served as VP general merchandising manager for Toys“R”Us U.S., overseeing the learning and electronics and entertainment product categories. He joined Toys“R”Us in 1985 as a part-time employee in the United Kingdom, and in his 26-year tenure with the company, has accumulated broad experience in all aspects of the business with positions of increased responsibility in sales, operations and merchandising. In 2004, Barry was promoted to merchandising director for Toys“R”Us, International, where he managed the buying decisions for categories including video games, electronics, learning toys and sports merchandise.

Prior to her promotion, Harnisch served as VP, general merchandising manager for core toy and seasonal. Harnisch joined the Toys“R”Us merchandising team in 2002 as a buyer and has held roles of increasing responsibility since that time, including doll buyer and divisional merchandising manager for core toys. She was named Wonder Woman of the Year in the retail category by the Women in Toys organization in 2011.Harnisch will report to Barry.

“With these promotions, we are pleased to acknowledge the many contributions to our business by two talented merchandising executives,” said Jerry Storch, chairman and CEO for Toys“R”Us Inc. “We look forward to their leadership in advancing our specialist position in the toy and baby product categories.”