Claire’s Welcomes Chris Cramer to the Role of CFO & COO

Claire’s, the teen fashion retailer, revealed the appointment of finance expert Chris Cramer as its Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. Cramer’s appointment follows the June announcement of Claudia Lima-Guinehut as Claire’s Chief Merchandising Officer, who had previously served in an executive role at Children’s Place.

Cramer, who brings a wealth of experience from his 20-year tenure at Bath & Body Works and, more recently, as president of Parade, an intimate apparel retailer catering to Gen Z, will assume oversight of Claire’s finance, supply chain, technology, and North America real estate divisions. In this role, he will directly report to Claire’s CEO, Ryan Vero.

Cramer’s arrival at Claire’s in late October followed the departure of the previous finance chief, Michael Schwindle, who currently holds the position of CFO at Vera Bradley, a company specializing in handbag and luggage design, as per his LinkedIn profile.

Before joining Claire’s, Cramer held various leadership roles at Bath & Body Works, serving as COO from September 2020 to August 2022 and previously as CFO from April 2009 to June 2013. His association with Bath & Body Works dates back to 2005 when it was under L Brands, where he had joined in 2001. Additionally, he held financial management roles at IBM earlier in his career.

Regarding its initial public offering (IPO) plans, Claire’s had previously announced a postponement due to market conditions, as highlighted in a statement by Vero, the CEO. The retailer, acquired by Apollo Management in 2007 for $3.1 billion, withdrew its IPO plan in September 2021 after emerging from bankruptcy and experiencing a significant surge in sales.

Based in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, Claire’s operates over 2,750 stores globally, along with franchised outlets and an online business. The brand has expanded its presence through partnerships with major retailers like Kohl’s, Macy’s, and Walmart.

Vero expressed confidence in Cramer’s abilities, citing his extensive industry experience spanning over 25 years and his proven track record in operational and financial leadership, emphasizing his collaborative approach.

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