In May 2014, Kohl's began an external search for a new chief merchant who had the potential to eventually become its next CEO. Last week, the department store chain added a few more steps to its mission.
Michelle Gass, formerly Kohl's chief customer officer, was appointed to a new principal officer position of chief merchandising and customer officer. She assumes oversight of merchandising, planning and allocation, and product development functions while retaining marketing, public relations and social media oversight. Joining Kohl's in 2013 after 16 years at Starbucks, she now becomes a candidate to replace CEO Kevin Mansell, 62, upon his eventual retirement.
But Kohl's also announced an external search for a COO, another new principal officer position that will have direct responsibility over: store operations; logistics and supply chain network; information and digital technology; e-commerce; and store construction and design. The COO will also be a CEO candidate.
The succession issues at Target and J.C. Penney had led to several reports of similar hurdles faced by many larger retailers. Some touched on the lack of candidates with skillsets to manage a behemoth national chain, often created through decades of consolidation.
Kohl’s Michelle Gass and current CEO, Kevin Mansell
Wrote Walter Loeb, a veteran retail consultant, for Forbes following Gregg Steinhafel's exit from Target, "There is a dearth of trained people who can take over a major retail corporation and inject vision, dynamic drive, better earnings, tight control, and engender enthusiasm from both associates and customers."
Others explored the changing CEO role as technology becomes a bigger part of the shopping experience. Ron Johnson, Apple's former SVP of retail, was initially hailed as a strong choice to guide Penney into the 21st century.
At Walmart's media day on June 5, the company's newish CEO, Doug McMillon, discussed how the "rapidly" changing consumer had created a need for more forward-thinking leadership.
"We have history all the way back to Sam Walton of changing, mixing things up and reinventing store formats," said Mr. McMillon, according to The City Wire. "Today it's not just store formats, it's not just the physical aspects of our business but it's also the digital aspects and how they come together."
- Kohl's Announces Senior Leadership Appointments - Kohl's
- Kohl's Makes CEO Succession Plans Clearer - The Wall Street Journal (sub. required)
- Kohl's CEO Planning Management Shuffle - The Wall Street Journal (sub. required)
- Wal-Mart's McMillon talks succession, wages, 'influence with suppliers' - The City Wire
- Target Could Be The Next Victim Of A Leadership Void In Retailing - Forbes