Wal-Mart Apparel Chief Resigns

Claire Watts, Senior Vice President of merchandising, announced her resignation from Wal-Mart on Friday. We guess she finally realized that turtlenecks went out of style in 1994.

Wal-Mart Apparel Chief Resigns as Sales Lag [New York Times]

The move was not entirely unexpected. Ms. Watts, who once had control over Wal-Mart’s apparel and home departments, lost responsibility for home décor this year, a move that several executives viewed as a demotion.

Wal-Mart head of apparel merchandising resigns [Reuters]

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said on Friday that Claire Watts, who was in charge of the retailer’s apparel merchandise, has resigned to “pursue other career interests,” as the world’s largest retailer continues to work to revive sales in the flagging division.

Wal-Mart shakes up executive ranks [Bloomberg News via International Herald Tribune]

Watts’s departure comes after Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retailer, retreated from attempts to lure shoppers with more fashionable clothing, including its Metro 7 line of dresses.

Wal-Mart’s Fashion Maven Departs As Trendy Merchandise Languishes [Washington Post]

Her departure highlights the troubles that have befallen Wal-Mart’s foray into fashion. The strategy was intended to attract more affluent shoppers and encourage existing customers to buy more than cheap toilet paper and laundry detergent. But the company moved too quickly, suffering from distribution troubles and poor response in the nation’s heartland.

Top Wal-Mart Apparel Merchant Resigns [Associated Press via Forbes]

As part of the changes, Wal-Mart promoted Dottie Mattison, formerly chief merchant for Walmart.com, to senior vice president over women’s apparel, jewelry, shoes and accessories as well as product development.

Wal-Mart Apparel Executive Resigns [Wall Street Journal]

Wal-Mart hasn’t yet decided if it will recruit someone to replace Ms. Watts as executive vice president of apparel. It has named Dottie Mattison, formerly chief merchant at its Walmart.com unit, as senior vice president and general merchandising manager of women’s apparel. Ms. Mattison will handle Wal-Mart’s merchandising, design and product strategy for women’s apparel from its offices in Manhattan.

Wal-Mart expects new apparel execs to revive sales [Bloomberg News via Chicago Tribune]

The change comes after same-store sales at U.S. stores increased at their slowest pace last year since at least 1980, and Chief Executive Lee Scott said that some fixes were needed.

Wal-Mart Apparel Executive Claire Watts Resigns [Women’s Wear Daily]

Watts joined Wal-Mart in 1997 after stints at Limited Stores and May Department Stores Co., and moved up the ranks quickly, eventually running the retailer’s soft goods merchandising empire.

Posted by Alex Goldschmidt on Monday, July 23, 2007

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