The first two weeks of 2016 have seen a flurry of changes in the retail leadership ranks, with many women being named to C-level positions. Here’s a recap of who’s been promoted and who’s going where:

  • Barnes & Noble has promoted Mary Amicucci to be its new chief merchandising officer. Amicucci has spent the last two years as the company’s vice president, adult trade and children’s books, where she was responsible for leading merchandising plans and marketing strategies. In her new position, Amicucci will oversee the planning of all merchandising initiatives as well as managing and developing talent across all of the merchandising groups within the company, including books, toys and games, gift, newsstand, and music/DVD. Prior to joining Barnes & Noble, Amicucci spent eight years at The Children’s Place as vice president, planning and allocation.
  • Veronique Gabai-Pinsky, a 25-year veteran of the beauty industry, was named president of Vera Wang earlier this week. Gabai-Pinsky left Estee Lauder, where she was global brand president of its fragrances division, in October 2014. Since then she has served as a strategist for New York City-based Vera Wang. Gabai-Pinsky will be replacing the company’s namesake designer, who had been serving in the role of president.
  • Sally Beauty Holdings, an international retailer of professional beauty supplies, has hired Sharon Leite to be its new president. Leite will be responsible for Sally Beauty’s U.S. and Canadian business. She comes to Sally Beauty from Pier 1 Imports, where as executive vice president she lead the home furnishing retailer’s sales and customer service strategy in 1,000 stores in the U.S. and Canada, as well as overseeing e-commerce, real estate and operations. Leite’s hiring at Sally Beauty is effective Feb. 1.
  • Pamela Kohn has been tapped as the new executive vice president and chief merchandising officer for Fresh Market, a specialty grocery retailer. Kohn will be responsible for enhancing the customer experience while accelerating the improvement of merchandise selection, customer value, brand messaging, and in-store experience. She will also have oversight for merchandising, marketing and supply chain functions, and will report to Rick Anicetti, Fresh Market’s president and CEO. Kohn has more than 30 years experience in the retail industry, most recently at Wal-Mart, where she worked in supply chain, merchandising, store operations, real estate, sourcing and merchandising operations. Prior to Wal-Mart, she held executive positions at The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, and Food Lion.

Let us know if we missed anyone by posting a comment below or sending me an email at jkeenan@napco.com.