Claire's Stores names head of European business

Chicago --Claire's Stores, Inc. said Tuesday that it has named Beatrice Lafon President of the European Division, effective immediately.

In her position as President of Europe, Lafon will lead the continued growth and expansion of the European business, with direct oversight of buying, merchandising and allocation, supply chain, stores, and the overall operations for approximately 1,100 stores across 13 countries.

Lafon will report to Gene Kahn, CEO.

She has served in executive positions at TJ Hughes in the UK, Etam Group in the Netherlands, and Animal Ltd. in the UK, as well as held a variety of retail positions at Woolworths Group.

“I am excited about the opportunity to work with Beatrice, in concert with the other members of the European and Global Senior Management Teams, as we continue to focus our efforts to reverse the recent negative performance in Europe and grow the European division to make Claire's a dominant retailer of fashionable accessories and jewelry at affordable prices in each of our key markets for our targeted customer groups," said Kahn.

Lafon succeeds Kenny Wilson, who served in the position for more than two years.