Pembroke Pines, Fl., USA - April 3, 2014, Pembroke Pines, Fl., USA - Claire's Stores also announced that its CEO James D. Fielding has resigned and the the board appointed Beatrice Lafon as the new CEO.
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Mr. Fielding has more than 25 years of experience in the retail industry. Mr. Fielding served as the President of Disney Stores Worldwide at Disney Consumer Products, Inc. from May 2008 to 2012. He served as the architect of Disney Stores brand and merchandising strategy, new store expansion, including successful launch of a new concept in June 2010, the acquisition of the Disney Stores Japan business, and the development and expansion of Disney Stores global e-commerce business, among other initiatives.
Mr. Fielding served as an Executive Vice President of Global Retail Sales and Marketing of Disney Consumer Products, Inc. from September 2005 to 2008. In this role, Mr. Fielding oversaw DCP's global sales, marketing, studio merchandising, creative, and synergy initiatives, as well as special events and was also responsible for Disney Retail. Mr. Fielding served as Senior Vice President, Retail Sales and Marketing since February 2005.
Prior to this, he served as senior vice president of Merchandise, Creative, & Marketing at Disney Store. Prior to this, he served as senior vice president of Merchandise, Creative, & Marketing at Disney Store.
Prior to joining Disney stores, Mr. Fielding served as Vice President and general merchandise manager for both Land's End Inc. and The J. Peterman Company. Previously, he spent over ten years in merchandising and marketing roles with The Gap Inc. and Dayton Hudson. He has been a Director of Claire's Inc and Claire's Stores Inc., since June 2012.
Mr. Fielding earned a bachelor of arts degree in political science and management from Indiana University. He also attended the University of Copenhagen.
Starting as a graduate trainee with Marks & Spencer in 1982, Ms. Lafon, currently President of Claire's Europe, moved to the position of Buying and Merchandising Controller with Dorothy Perkins, a division of the Burton Group in 1989.
Ms. Lafon continued to broaden her retail experience with executive positions at River Island and Ouiset, and joined the Woolworths Group in 1993, where she served in various positions until 2000, including Head of Buying and Business Development from 1993 to 1996. ■