Kohl’s Taps Dave Alves as President and Chief Operating Officer – WWD

Kohl’s has appointed Dave Alves as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective April. He will report to Chief Executive Officer Tom Kingsbury, who was selected for the top position earlier this month after serving in a transition role.

Kingsbury praised Alves’ “deep retail background” in department stores and the off-price channel as a strong addition to Kohl’s team.

“We are very pleased to have Dave join our leadership team as we move the business forward,” said Kingsbury. “Kohl’s is a great company with a strong and loyal customer base, and Dave comes to us at a time when we are improving our business and offerings for the next generation of shoppers.”

A retail veteran of over 30 years, Alves most recently served as President and Chief Retail Officer for Bealls Retail Group. Prior to that he held leadership positions at TJX Canada and TJX Europe, Hudson’s Bay and Sterling Shoes.

The appointment comes amid a series of new leadership positions at the company. Kingsbury was named CEO in early February after the departure of former CEO Michelle Gass, who joined Levi Strauss & Co. as president and incoming CEO in early December. Shortly thereafter, Kohl’s hired Nick Jones as the company’s chief merchandising and digital officer, effective March.

“I have long admired the Kohl’s brand and business model throughout my career and am excited to join the team,” Alves said in a statement. “Retail is a dynamic and fast-paced industry that must constantly evolve with consumer preferences and behaviors, and I think Kohl’s is doing a great job staying true to its heritage while driving the retail experience forward. I look forward to being part of the bright future of the company.”

As part of the CEO announcement earlier this month, Kohl’s said it had entered into a “collaboration agreement” with activist investor Macellum, which owns nearly 5 percent of Kohl’s and had previously asked the company to consider an offer to sell its business and appoint a Macellum representative to the board.

Late last month, Kohl cut fewer than 60 jobs at the company as it struggles with inflation-driven demand weakness. In November, Kohl’s withdrew its full-year guidance and didn’t share fourth-quarter guidance, citing “macroeconomic headwinds” and the recent CEO change.

Kohl’s also lowered its outlook in August, citing inflation and weaker consumer spending, particularly among middle-income customers.

Kohl’s reports fourth-quarter results Wednesday morning.