Welcome to our regular roundup of employee comings and goings and other people-related news across the home furnishings industry. Here’s the latest:
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Mud Pie is changing up its leadership structure. The gift and home décor brand announced Friday the founding family behind the company for nearly 40 years will step away from its day-to-day operations.
The company has been a family-owned business since its creation in 1988 by Marcia Miller. Now, Mark Smith, who has served as a member of the company’s board and has worked with the brand as a consultant for more than a year, will take over daily operations. The transition “marks a pivotal step forward in the company’s evolution,” Mud Pie said in a release announcing the change. Zander Brekke, who was named president of Mud Pie in the summer of 2023, is no longer with the company.
“As Mud Pie’s growth trajectory remains robust, we are focused on positioning the company to continue to deliver the exceptional products and service our customers have come to expect from us,” Smith said. “Despite industry challenges this year, including tariffs, we have remained resilient and have consistently delivered strong performance. We are excited with the level of growth we have been seeing and feel well-equipped to further elevate our offerings and customer experience and reinforce our position for long-term success.”
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Sherrill Furniture Brands has named Kristin Hawkins as senior director of marketing. She will report to Sydney Martin, vice president of marketing.
In her new role, Hawkins will lead the company’s integrated marketing strategy, brand storytelling and public relations initiatives across its family of brands, including Sherrill, Whittemore-Sherrill, Hickory White, Sherrill Occasional, Mr. & Mrs. Howard, Lillian August, Precedent and Motioncraft.
Hawkins brings more than 20 years of experience in marketing, communications and public relations leadership within the home furnishings industry. She most recently served as senior director of public relations at Hooker Furnishings. Prior to that, she served as vice president at several PR and communication agencies in the home furnishings industry.
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Kristin to the Sherrill Furniture Brands team,” said Martin. “She is an industry veteran with incredible expertise and energy, and with her track record, I know she will take our marketing and sales efforts to new heights.”
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Nourison Home has appointed Feryal Rehman as the company’s new Vice President of Marketing.
With more than 15 years of global marketing and Profit &Loss leadership experience at Procter & Gamble and Groupe SEB, Feryal has a proven track record of driving strong market share and digital transformation on a diverse portfolio of brands such as Pampers, Gillette, Braun, Oral-B, All-Clad and T-fal. She is recognized for inspirational leadership, the ability to craft growth strategies, and for driving people and brands forward.
“We are delighted to welcome Feryal to the Nourison leadership team,” said Alex Peykar, principal and co-founder at Nourison Home. “Her rare blend of global brand-building expertise and dynamic entrepreneurial leadership experience makes her the right leader to guide Nourison into its next chapter. Feryal will lead the company’s global brand and omni channel growth strategy, accelerate digital transformation, while honoring Nourison’s long-standing heritage of quality, craftsmanship, and innovation.”
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The incoming chief merchandising officer for Five Below brings decades of experience from Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s to her new role.
Michelle Israel officially steps into the position effective Oct. 6 and will report to Winnie Park, CEO.
Five Below – an extreme value retailer catering to kids – operates more than 1,850 stores in 44 states. Most items, including its home décor, are priced between $1 and $5. Israel will oversee merchandising, planning, allocation, product sourcing, product development, quality and compliance.
Her previous experience includes nearly 35 years at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s, most recently as SVP and general merchandise manager for Beauty and Center Core at Macy’s, where she oversaw a multi-billion-dollar portfolio that spanned jewelry, beauty, shoes, handbags and more. Prior to that, Israel led Macy’s value brands, Bloomingdale’s The Outlet and Macy’s Off Price/Backstage, owning the full P&L, inclusive of merchandising, stores, planning and finance. She was also the VP-DMM for housewares and tabletop at Bloomingdale’s for 10 years. She began her career in the buyer training program at Bloomingdale’s in 1991.
“I am very excited to join Five Below, a business I have long admired for successfully establishing itself as ‘the’ destination for a highly curated value assortment and fun experience that sits at the intersection of trend and value,” said Israel. “I look forward to working with the team and amplifying our Wow! product assortment while keeping the core customer at the center of decision-making.”
The rapidly growing retail chain added 87 net new stores during the first half of the fiscal year, ended Aug. 2. Year-to-date sales for the period jumped 21.6% to just under $2 billion, with comps up nearly 10%. Adjusted net income soared 47% to $92.3 million. — Jennifer Marks
