Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Former Best Buy Exec to Lead Art Van E-Commerce Effort
October 5,
2017 by Larry Thomas in Executive Changes, Industry 
Michele Azar, a nationally recognized e-commerce strategist who played a key role in Best Buy’s corporate turnaround, has joined Art Van Furniture’s leadership team as chief digital officer.
In this newly created position, Azar will play a pivotal role in transforming and growing the retailer’s e-commerce division. She reports to Kim Yost, president and CEO.
“All roads lead to the Internet and under Michele’s expert command, we will dramatically expand e-commerce at Art Van Furniture and become a must-visit online marketplace for guests,” said Yost. “She is an unabashed visionary, and her proven experience makes her uniquely qualified to create an easy, delightful experience for online home furnishing shoppers.”
Azar spent over two decades at Best Buy, serving most recently as vice president of global e-commerce multichannel fulfillment and growth. She drove innovative new digital business models, improved online customer engagement, and envisioned and scaled the game-changing capability “Buy Online, Ship from Store,” which generated material online revenue, unlocked $2 billion in inventory and decreased online out-of-stocks.
“I’m elated to join this forward-thinking Midwest retailer as it sets its sights on a bold e-commerce future,” Azar said. “Art Van is an established brick-and-mortar retail powerhouse poised to combine cutting-edge technology with its innovative culture as it designs and implements an exemplary digital guest experience.”