Tilly’s Hires Laura Janney as Merchandising Chief
Tilly’s Inc. has tapped a former Hudson’s Bay executive to fill the executive vice president and chief merchandising officer position at the retailer.
Laura Janney will join the company May 8 to oversee buying, sourcing, product development, and the retailer’s merchandising across online and its 249 stores.
Janney most recently was chief merchandising officer at Hudson’s Bay, which she left in January of this year. She’s also a long-time Nordstrom Inc. executive, most recently serving as the retailer’s vice president and omnichannel divisional merchandise manager for innovation/full-price stores. Janney spent a total of 32 years with Nordstrom.
Tilly’s President and CEO Ed Thomas expressed excitement for Janney’s hiring.
“We believe her extensive experience in retail merchandising and track record of growth and strategic leadership will bring great value to Tilly’s as we work to improve our business,” Thomas said in a statement Monday.
Janney will receive a base salary of $540,000 a year, according to a Securities & Exchange Commission filing by the company. She is also eligible to earn a cash bonus equivalent to 75% of her base salary and will receive a $10,000 car allowance annually.
Janney’s appointment follows the January departure of Bobby Goodwin, Tilly’s former senior vice president and general merchandise manager. Goodwin left Tilly’s to join Vans, where he serves as vice president of DTC merchandising in the Americas.
The last person to hold the Tilly’s EVP, CMO position was Tricia Smith, who joined the retailer for a brief stint between September 2019 and March 2021. Smith, during her time at Tilly’s, focused on a digital-first approach. She now serves as global CEO of Anthropologie.
