Specialty Home Décor Retailer Strengthens Management Team

September 25, 2018  by Jane Chero in Business Strategy, Industry   

Woodward, who is currently president and chief merchant of Crate and Barrel, will join the Kirkland's team and the board of directors effective October 22. The company's acting CEO, Mike Cairnes, will be promoted from executive vice president to president in addition to resuming his previous role as chief operating officer.

Mr. Woodward brings significant experience in developing and managing the growth of consumer brands. Since joining Crate and Barrel in 2015, he has been responsible for all aspects of merchandising, including sourcing, product design and assortment selection for the global omni-channel home furnishings retailer.

Prior to that time, Woodward was senior vice president of licensed watches and jewelry for Fossil, where he was head of the Michael Kors watch and jewelry business. He has also served as Executive Vice President and general merchandise manager of The Bombay Company, CEO of Illuminations and vice president of Pier 1 Imports.

Kirkland's chairman of the board, Wilson Orr, said, "Woody is a world-class merchant who has been instrumental in the success of iconic brands and retailers in the home furnishings and fashion industries. His skillset, proven record as a merchant leader and plan for realizing the true potential of our company will complement Mike Cairnes' abilities as a highly effective leader and operator. We have a deep, experienced team at Kirkland's, and this new leadership will help us build on recent momentum in the stores as well as investments in supply chain and buy-online-and-pick-up-in-store that can support profitable long-term growth."   

Woodward added, "I am thrilled to lead Kirkland's at such an exciting time in its growth. My 40 years of merchant and leadership experience in specialty home, supported by the important strides in recent months by Mike and the team, will enable us to move quickly.  Our goal is to deliver excellent, relevant and affordable assortments – both at retail and online – that stimulate and excite our shoppers. It is my honor to lead Kirkland's, and I look forward to working with our dedicated associates as we evolve the business to best serve home furnishings shoppers."

"Woody and I are closely aligned on continuing the key strategic initiatives that build both the foundational and future success of Kirkland's," said Mr. Cairnes. "I am looking forward to partnering with him to fully develop the Kirkland's brand and realize the potential for sales growth and margin improvement."