Kohl's names Nick Jones chief merchandising and digital officer

By

Jennifer Braun

Published
Feb 10, 2023

Kohl's announced on Thursday the appointment of 25-year retail veteran Nick Jones as chief merchandising and digital officer.

In this role, effective in March, Jones will be responsible for Kohl's overall merchandise strategy and all merchandising functions including buying, digital and omnichannel merchandising, product design and development, and product portfolio strategy. He will equally head the company's strategic focus to be the destination for the active and casual lifestyle, by amplifying third party brands.

"We are very excited to have Nick join our team and lead our merchandising organization as we continue our focus on the active and casual lifestyle while also accelerating our focus on product newness and innovation," said CEO Tom Kingsbury, who Jones will report to.

"Nick has a tremendous wealth of experience in merchandising, retail, global sourcing, and business leadership. During his career, Nick's been the chief merchant for one of the U.K.’s biggest retailers, led multiple categories for department store Marks & Spencer, and was a key leader in the category and international expansion of the multi-billion dollar George brand. As we continue to build on our key national brands, enhance our proprietary product portfolio and drive newness for customers, we are confident that he is the right fit for our organization, our team and our customers."

Jones joins the retailer from Joules Group, the premium British lifestyle group, where he was CEO. Prior to that, he managed the now multi-billion dollar George brand for ASDA/Walmart UK, serving as the chief merchant. Prior to that, he spent 15 years at Marks & Spencer, where he held a variety of business and merchandise leadership positions, including working in Home, Beauty, and Women's categories.

"I'm thrilled to be joining Kohl's and love the strategic focus for today's customers who are living a more casual and comfortable lifestyle," said Jones. "I look forward to joining the team as we find fresh new ways to offer great products to our customers.”

Earlier this month, Kingsbury, named interim chief executive officer in December, took over the role on a permanent basis. He had been serving as an interim chief, since CEO Michelle Gass left Kohl's for jeans maker Levi Strauss & Co.