Exec Leaves Sears Holdings to Lead Pier 1 Imports

Sears Holdings lost one of its top executives when Kmart president and chief member officer Alasdair James left in March.

James had worked for Kmart, which Sears Holdings owns, since 2014, according to Business Insider.

James is taking over as president and CEO of Pier 1 on May 1. Pier 1  sought out James because of his “strong, consumer-focused background, track record of success and strategic ability,” the company says.

Sears lost two other executives in December, including Jeffrey Balagna, formerly Sears’ executive vice president, and Joelle Maher, Sears’ president and chief member officer, Business Insider reports.

“With more than 15 years of retail and consumer goods experience in the U.S., U.K. and China, Alasdair has the expertise and global operating skills necessary to drive long-term success for our brand,” says Terry E. London, Pier 1 board chairman.

“He is a proven leader in the consumer space, broadly skilled in sales, marketing, brand management and data analytics, with a track record of implementing consumer-facing initiatives to transform businesses in tough environments while driving operational improvement.”

Sears does not announce executive departures, and did not confirm James’ exit, Business Insider says.

“James was recruited to Sears nearly three years ago from the British grocery giant Tesco, where he held a number of executive positions, including commercial director for the company’s global business unit,” the Business Insider article says.