Pier I Imports names apparel merchandising vet to newly created position
A former White House | Black Market and Ann Taylor executive is joining Pier I Imports.
Pier 1 Imports has appointed Donna Noce Colaco to the newly created position of chief customer office, effective December 3, 2018. She will lead the home furnishing retailer’s merchandising organization and oversee product development, planning and allocations, stores, marketing and e-commerce.
Most recently, Colaco served as band president of White House | Black Market, a division of Chico's FAS, from August 2007 to January 2018. During her tenure, she led a brand repositioning and was responsible for retail and e-commerce operations, including 500 stores, as well as brand development, product design, marketing, merchandising and financial planning. She also served as a member of the Chico’s FAS executive committee.
Prior to White House | Black Market, Colaco spent 11 years with AnnTaylor Stores Corp., where she held positions of increasing responsibility within the merchandising organization, successfully launched the Loft outlet division, and served as head of e-commerce for the Ann Taylor brand. From 2006 to 2007, Colaco was president of Ann Taylor Loft.
“We are thrilled to welcome Donna in this new role as we continue to focus on bringing the customer to the center of everything we do,” said Alasdair James, president and CEO, Pier I. “With 40 years of experience in the retail industry, she brings a successful track record of reinventing brands, spearheading new business initiatives, and driving long-term sales and profit growth, which we believe will be instrumental to our success at this time of transformation. Moreover, Donna’s deep expertise in merchandising and omnichannel operations, married with her focus on brand-building and customer centricity, make her an ideal addition to our leadership team as we execute our ‘New Day’ plan.”
Pier I is working to turnaround its business. Earlier this year, it announced a three-year strategic plan, called “New Day,” that includes a store revamp, new marketing and a refining of the merchandising mix.
Earlier in her career, Colaco held positions as a buyer and merchandise manager for Limited’ Lerner New York division, and was a buyer for Petrie Stores Corporation. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of Dover Saddlery, a specialty retailer and omnichannel marketer of equestrian products, since 2015.
Pier 1 Imports has appointed Donna Noce Colaco to the newly created position of chief customer office, effective December 3, 2018. She will lead the home furnishing retailer’s merchandising organization and oversee product development, planning and allocations, stores, marketing and e-commerce.
Most recently, Colaco served as band president of White House | Black Market, a division of Chico's FAS, from August 2007 to January 2018. During her tenure, she led a brand repositioning and was responsible for retail and e-commerce operations, including 500 stores, as well as brand development, product design, marketing, merchandising and financial planning. She also served as a member of the Chico’s FAS executive committee.
Prior to White House | Black Market, Colaco spent 11 years with AnnTaylor Stores Corp., where she held positions of increasing responsibility within the merchandising organization, successfully launched the Loft outlet division, and served as head of e-commerce for the Ann Taylor brand. From 2006 to 2007, Colaco was president of Ann Taylor Loft.
“We are thrilled to welcome Donna in this new role as we continue to focus on bringing the customer to the center of everything we do,” said Alasdair James, president and CEO, Pier I. “With 40 years of experience in the retail industry, she brings a successful track record of reinventing brands, spearheading new business initiatives, and driving long-term sales and profit growth, which we believe will be instrumental to our success at this time of transformation. Moreover, Donna’s deep expertise in merchandising and omnichannel operations, married with her focus on brand-building and customer centricity, make her an ideal addition to our leadership team as we execute our ‘New Day’ plan.”
Pier I is working to turnaround its business. Earlier this year, it announced a three-year strategic plan, called “New Day,” that includes a store revamp, new marketing and a refining of the merchandising mix.
Earlier in her career, Colaco held positions as a buyer and merchandise manager for Limited’ Lerner New York division, and was a buyer for Petrie Stores Corporation. She has been a member of the Board of Directors of Dover Saddlery, a specialty retailer and omnichannel marketer of equestrian products, since 2015.