Ross Stores makes chief merchant shakeup between banners
Ross Stores, Inc. is making changes to its merchandising leadership team.
The off-price retailer has promoted Karen Fleming to president and chief merchandising officer of Ross Dress for Less, effective Dec. 1, 2024. She is currently president and chief merchandising officer of DD’s Discounts and is responsible for directing all aspects of merchandising at DD’s. In her new role, Fleming will oversee the merchandising responsibilities at Ross Dress for Less, and will continue to report directly to Barbara Rentler, CEO of Ross Stores, Inc.
Upon Fleming’s promotion, Karen Sykes will become president and chief merchandising officer of DD’s Discounts, also continuing to report directly to Rentler. Sykes currently serves as executive VP of merchandising overseeing the men’s and children’s sectors at Ross Dress for Less. In her new role, Sykes will direct all aspects of merchandising at DD’s.
Earlier this year, Ross Stores said it expected to open about 90 new locations in 2024, including 75 Ross stores and 15 DD’s stores.
[READ MORE: Ross expands footprint with summer store openings]
“We are very pleased to announce the promotions of these two extremely talented senior executives,” said Rentler. “Karen Fleming is a gifted and seasoned executive with over two decades at our Company serving in different leadership roles at both Ross Dress for Less and DD’s Discounts. I’m excited for Karen as she takes on this new role leading the merchandising efforts for the entire Ross Dress for Less chain. Karen Sykes is a skilled merchant with over three decades of experience within our organization. I’m delighted for Karen’s well-deserved promotion, where she will lead the DD’s Discounts merchandising team.”
Based in Dublin, Calif., Ross Stores, Inc. operates 1,795 Ross Dress for Less locations in 43 states, the District of Columbia and Guam, as well as 353 DD’s Discounts stores in 22 states.
