Citi Trends appoints new chief merchandising officer and board member

By

Robin Driver

Published
Oct 1, 2019

Savannah, Georgia-based value-priced urban fashion retailer Citi Trends, Inc. has announced the appointment of Lisa Powell as EVP and chief merchandising officer, and revealed that Ken Seipel is joining the company’s board of directors.
 

In her new position, Powell will oversee Citi Trends’ merchandising, planning and allocation functions.
 
She joins the company from Century 21 Department Stores, where she has served as vice president and general merchandise manager since 2014. Prior to this she worked as vice president and divisional merchandise manager at Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th.

The executive, who holds a BS in clothing and textiles from Framington State College and an Associates of Art in fashion design from Endicott College, also has close to 10 years of experience at multinational off-price retailer TJX, where she served in a range of merchandising, planning and allocation roles from 2002 to 2011.
 
“We are extremely pleased that Lisa is joining our team to lead our merchandising, planning and allocation efforts,” said Bruce Smith, Citi Trend’s president and CEO, in a release. “Her vast off-price experience will be an excellent fit with Citi Trends, and we look forward to her leadership as we maintain our focus on growing our Company and delivering value for our customers, associates and shareholders.”
 
Seipel, the new member of Citi Trends’ board, is currently CEO at boating and fishing supply retailer West Marine, Inc., and previously served in the same role at Gabriel Brothers from 2013 to 2017. During his tenure at the discount fashion retailer, sales at the company doubled and profits tripled.
 
He has also held a range of other executive positions at companies including Old Navy, Target and J.C. Penney.
 
Citi Trends operates 564 stores in 33 states, as well as an e-commerce website.