By Anna Prior
Levi Strauss & Co. said Wal-Mart Stores Inc.'s Marc Rosen
will join the jeans maker next month as executive vice president
and president of global e-commerce as the company looks improve its
online operation.
Mr. Rosen--who most recently worked as senior vice president of
global e-commerce at Wal-Mart, where he was responsible for
designing, building, operating and expanding Walmart.com
globally--will be tasked with leading Levi's global e-commerce
business to drive new growth, consumer loyalty and sustainable
profitability, Levi said.
In addition to working on Levi.com and Dockers.com, Mr. Rosen
will focus on the company's highest-growth markets, including
China, France, Germany, Japan, the U.K. and the U.S., the company
said.
Mr. Rosen has also previously worked as Wal-Mart's senior vice
president of information systems, responsible for the retailer's
global merchandising, supply chain and store systems, and has held
senior leadership positions for Wal-Mart's international business
unit and Ernst & Young.
A relative bright spot in a tough retail environment, e-commerce
has been one of the biggest drivers of retail sales in recent
quarters. Companies across the retail industry have been making
investments in websites and searching for new ways to reach
shoppers through social media.
"Our e-commerce business has experienced strong, double-digit
growth the past few years," said Chief Executive Chip Bergh on
Monday, adding that investing in e-commerce continues to be a top
priority for Levi.
However, earlier this month, Levi said its fiscal first-quarter
profit slid 53% as the company posted restructuring-related charges
and revenue edged lower.
Those results came about two weeks after the company outlined a
plan to cut 800 jobs as part of a cost-savings plan to help boost
its profitability. While Levi's sales and net income grew for the
company's latest fiscal year, both metrics declined in the final
quarter, hurt by higher promotions.
Write to Anna Prior at anna.prior@wsj.com
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