Source: The Business of Fashion
Summary
Kim Waldmann has been named chief executive of Urban Outfitters Group, effective January 2024. Waldmann previously held roles at Athleta and Sephora. She succeeds Trish Donnelly, who will remain president and CEO of the parent company, URBN. Waldmann will oversee the Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie Group, and Free People brands. The appointment is part of a broader leadership shake-up at the company.
Our Reading
The trend returns with a new name.
Kim Waldmann’s appointment marks a new chapter for Urban Outfitters Group, but the leadership shuffle is a familiar story in retail. Athleta and Sephora, Waldmann’s previous employers, have also experienced executive turnover in recent years. The cycle of hiring and departing CEOs is a well-known phenomenon in the industry. Waldmann’s task is to revitalize the Urban Outfitters brand, which has struggled to regain its former momentum. The look feels familiar: a new leader, a new strategy, and a new attempt to reclaim past success.
Author: Evan Null
