Rack Room Shoes names new merchandising, digital chiefs
Rack Room Shoes is shaking up its C-suite.
The company, which operates stores under the Rack Room Shoes and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse brands, is promoting two leaders to new roles. Brian Burnett, senior VP, general merchandise manager, has been promoted to senior VP, chief merchandise officer. In this expanded role, he will lead the company’s product and merchandising strategies, driving innovation and ensuring alignment across vendor relations, inventory management and product sourcing.
Molly Hartney, chief marketing officer, has been promoted to chief digital officer. This newly created role will focus on strengthening Rack Room Shoes’ digital presence and optimizing its portfolio to integrate marketing functions with its digital sales and omnichannel strategies.
Burnett has been with Rack Room Shoes for nearly nine years, previously serving as general merchandise manager before stepping into his current role. The company says over the course of his tenure, he has developed key merchandising initiatives, introduced exclusive brand partnerships and played a pivotal role in expanding core product categories to meet evolving customer demand.
Hartney joined Rack Room Shoes as chief marketing officer in 2021. The company credits her with transforming its marketing into a “competitive differentiator” after achieving a 40% increase in customer retention. Rack Room Shoes says Hartney drove a 36% improvement in company productivity and, in her new role, is positioned to lead the digital strategy and further enhance the company’s omnichannel presence.
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"These strategic leadership changes and organizational realignments are pivotal in our ongoing efforts to streamline operations and enhance alignment," said Mark Lardie, president and CEO of Rack Room Shoes. "Brian, with his deep understanding of consumer trends and merchandising excellence, and Molly, a creative marketing and digital innovator, are uniquely positioned to propel Rack Room Shoes forward. By optimizing our merchandising and digital strategies under their exceptional leadership, we are ensuring sustained success in a dynamic market."
Based in Charlotte, N.C., Rack Room Shoes operates more than 520 locations nationwide.
