Roots Names Apparel and Retail Industry Veteran, Nancy Lepler, Chief Merchant
TORONTO, April 18, 2019 /CNW/ - Roots ("Roots," "Roots Canada") (TSX: ROOT), a premium outdoor lifestyle brand, today announced that Nancy Lepler has been appointed Chief Merchant, effective May 13, 2019. An accomplished apparel and retail industry executive, Ms. Lepler will drive the strategic global product direction and performance of the Company's merchandising group across all functions and product categories.
"Nancy is a passionate and highly-talented leader with extensive retail and global merchandising experience, who is also an outstanding cultural fit for Roots," said Jim Gabel, President and CEO, Roots. "She has a proven track record of setting a global product vision for billion-dollar brands and bringing outstanding consumer-focused concepts and products to retail. Just as important, she has a deep love for the Roots brand and a true appreciation for our cabin-meets-city style. We are very pleased to welcome her to the team."
In her role as Chief Merchant, Ms. Lepler will oversee product design, category management, planning, buying and sourcing across men's, women's, kid's, baby and toddler apparel and accessories, as well as leather goods and footwear. She will report to President and CEO, Mr. Jim Gabel, and is joining Roots following the departure of the Company's former Chief Merchant who left Roots in February 2019.
"I am very excited to be joining Roots, a brand I grew up with," said Nancy Lepler. "I look forward to working with the talented Roots team to bring further excitement to consumers by introducing new products that represent the unique combination of comfort and style that Roots is known for, while also celebrating the brand's rich 45-year heritage through compelling global product design and merchandising."
Ms. Lepler brings more than 25 years of merchandising and retail experience to Roots from a variety of lifestyle apparel and accessories brands. Her past leadership roles include Vice President and General Merchandising Manager at DKNY Retail /G-111 Apparel Group Ltd. in New York City where she led the strategic omni-channel retail vision as well as merchandising and design for women's and men's apparel, accessories and footwear for the DKNY retail and eCommerce channels. Ms. Lepler also served as Vice President of Merchandising for Aeropostale's billion-dollar women's apparel, accessories and active divisions, including the development and implementation of brand collaborations. Ms. Lepler has also held a variety of other senior merchandising leadership roles including: Head Merchant at Calvin Klein/ G-111 Apparel Group Ltd.; Senior Vice President of Design and Merchandising at the Donna Karen Company; and Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer at The Jones Apparel Group. Fluent in French, Ms. Lepler has worked extensively in the U.S. and Canada and holds a fashion merchandising degree from Ryerson University as well as a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Ontario.
About Roots
Established in 1973, Roots is a premium outdoor lifestyle brand. We unite the best of cabin and city through unmistakable style built with uncompromising comfort and quality. We offer a broad range of products that embody a comfortable cabin-meets-city style including: women's and men's apparel, leather goods, footwear, accessories and kid's, toddler and baby apparel. Starting from a little cabin in Algonquin Park, Canada, Roots has grown to become a global brand. As of February 2, 2019, we had 114 stores in Canada, seven in the United States, 117 partner-operated stores in Taiwan, 37 partner-operated stores in China, and a global eCommerce platform. Roots Corporation is a Canadian corporation doing business as "Roots" and "Roots Canada".
Forward-Looking Information
Certain information in this press release contains forward-looking information. This information is based on management's reasonable assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to us and are made as of the date of this press release. Actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking information as a result of various factors. Information regarding our expectations of future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which we operate is forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.
See "Forward-Looking Information" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's current Annual Information Form for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. Readers are urged to consider the uncertainties, risks and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information. We have no intention and undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law.
SOURCE Roots Corporation
Investor Relations: Kristen Davies, [email protected], 416-781-3574 Ext. 4116; Public Relations: Elyse Goody, [email protected], 416-781-3574 Ext. 4332
Share this article