Bloomingdale’s CEO Michael Gould retiring; to be replaced by Tony Spring

New York -- Bloomingdale’s longtime chief executive and chairman, Michael Gould, 70, is stepping down after 22 years on the job. He will be succeeded by Tony Spring, 48, currently Bloomingdale’s president and COO, effective Feb. 1, 2014. A successor to Spring as president of Bloomingdale’s is expected to be named in 2014.



“Mike Gould has been an outstanding and inspirational leader who has strengthened Bloomingdale’s position as an upscale fashion trendsetter known and loved by customers around the globe. Bloomingdale’s truly is like no other store in the world,” said Terry J. Lundgren, chairman, president and CEO of Macy’s, parent company of Bloomingdale’s. “Tony Spring also has been an integral part of Bloomingdale’s formula of success for 26 years, and we are excited about his new, elevated role leading this exceptional omni-channel brand going forward.”



Gould, who joined Bloomingdale's as chairman and CEO in 1991, told The Associated Press that he felt it was time to pass the baton and that he had been thinking about leaving for the past seven months. He started succession planning 10 years ago with his eye on Spring, the report said.



Prior to joining Bloomingdale’s, Gould was president and CEO of Giorgio Beverly Hills, a position he had held since 1987. He joined Giorgio in 1986 as president and chief operating officer.



Gould began his retailing career at the Brooklyn-based Abraham & Straus division of Federated Department Stores, Inc. in 1968 as an executive trainee and rose to become a merchandise VP.



Spring was promoted to Bloomingdale’s president and COO in 2008, with responsibility for Bloomingdale’s stores, marketing, creative services, finance, operations and restaurants. He began his Bloomingdale’s career in 1987 as an executive trainee in the White Plains, N.Y., store. From there, he went to assume positions of increasing responsibility.