Lands’ End CEO departs abruptly
DODGEVILLE, Wis. — The CEO of Lands’ End, recruited from the New York fashion house Dolce & Gabbana in a bit of a culture clash, has stepped down after less than two years on the job.
Federica Marchionni was brought to the Dodgeville, Wis., company with its button-down shirts and casual clothing in February 2015. Her employment agreement specified she would not have to move to the small southwestern Wisconsin city and her primary workplace would be in New York.
The company said Monday Marchionni’s departure was effective immediately.
“The Board of Directors and I have agreed it is time for others to bring Lands’ End into the future.” Marchionni said.
The Lands’ End board appointed Joseph Boitano, executive vice president and chief merchandising and design officer, and James Gooch, executive vice president and chief operating and financial officer, as co-interim chief executive officers. A global executive search firm has been hired to assist with identifying a permanent CEO, the company said.
Josephine Linden, board chairman, said Marchionni has helped Lands’ End transform by offering merchandise more relevant to shoppers.
“Federica is stepping down at this time, leaving Lands’ End well positioned to continue its evolution and capture the growth opportunities that exist for our iconic brand in this dynamic retail environment,” Linden said in a statement.
Marchionni’s tenure at Lands’ End has, at times, been strained. Her decision to feature feminist and abortion rights advocate Gloria Steinem in a Lands’ End catalog drew the ire of some customers who flooded the company’s Facebook page with comments and caused at least two private religious schools to stop purchasing uniforms from the company.
Annual sales have fallen for four consecutive years and net income for two. The company lost money in its latest fiscal year.