Levis names another new exec to lead retail operations

Levis Strauss & Co. has named a new leader with experience at Nike, Petco and Target to drive growth at its 2,700 unit global retail division.



Levi Strauss & Co. said Carrie Ask will join the company on Feb. 16, 2016 as executive vice president and president of global retail. She fills a position that has been vacant since June when Craig Nomura resigned after just 16 months with the company. Ask will report directly to Chip Bergh, president and CEO of the $4.8 billion global apparel company.



“Carrie has demonstrated a successful track record of driving retail strategy and execution at leading brands,” Bergh said. “She’s recognized as a collaborative leader who delivers strong results and we know she’ll be a powerful addition to our team.”



In her new role, Ask will oversee an unconventional and far-flung retail operation that consists of 2,700 locations. Of that amount, only 565 units are company operated stores and of those only 213 stores are located in the Americas. The company operated stores and e-commerce operations account for about 25% of total company sales. There are another 1,400 franchised, licensed or other forms of brand-dedicated stores located internationally that are operated by third parties. Levis also includes in its definition of retail another 800 “shop-in-shops” that are located within department stores in the U.S. and worldwide and operated directly or by third parties.



Ask most recently served as vice president and general manager for Nike Stores North America also held leadership positions at Nike’s Converse subsidiary where she was vice president and general manager with global oversight for full price stores, factory stores and converse.com. She also has previously held retail and merchandising positions at Petco, Target Corporation and BC Natural Foods, LLC.



“I have long admired (Levi Strauss and Company) for its iconic products, coveted brands, and leadership on social issues,” said Ask. “The opportunity to accelerate the growth of LS&Co.’s direct-to-consumer business is an exciting challenge for the next phase of my career.”



In addition to her retail background, Ask was an associate principal for McKinsey & Company and also served in the United States Navy as an officer in the Civil Engineer Corps. She recceived a bachelor of science in ocean engineering from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned an MBA from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University.