Ross Stores chief merchant to depart

Ross Stores is losing one of its longtime merchandising executives.

The fast-growing off-pricer announced that Bernie Brautigan, president, merchandising of Ross Dress for Less since 2016, is leaving the company. Senior merchant executives under his areas of responsibility will now report to CEO Barbara Rentler.

“Bernie has made numerous valuable contributions over his 16-year career as a merchandising executive at Ross Dress for Less,” Rentler stated. “We have a very talented and long-tenured team of senior merchandising leaders directing a large organization of more than 800 buyers.”

As of January 9, 2020, the company operates 1,550 Ross locations in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Guam, and 260 dd’s Discounts stores in 19 states.