Kiabi: Nicolas Hennon takes over as Managing Director

By

Matthieu Guinebault

Published
Dec 2, 2014

Previously the Managing Director of Kiabi Italy, Nicolas Hennon has just been appointed Managing Director of the group. A choice "in the continuity of the shift engaged by the group three years ago," the French company said. He succeeds Jean-Christophe Garbino, who recently left to join Truworths International after 7 years at the helm of the company.

Nicolas Hennon joined Kiabi in 1996, officiating in the operation and sales until 2001. He then joined the Vivarte group, where he stayed for six years. In 2007, he returned to Kiabi as operational manager of the north, before being handed the reins to Italy in 2011.

This announcement arrives on the tail of a different but also important announcement. Kiabi will be developing its sales network for more substantial visibility. The suburban retail chain plans to set up locations in regional shopping centres. Moreover, it is adding a new chain into the mix, Kiabi Kids, with the first two stores opened in Angers and Rouen.

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Kiabi is distributed via a network of 446 stores, 354 of which are in France. With 8,200 employees, including 56 designers, the affordable clothing chain made 1.4 billion euros in revenue in 2013. A 5.2% increase, while for 2014 it expects a 10% rise.