Dyer Turned Around Lands’ End, Leaves Sears

By George Anderson


Dave Dyer was credited with leading Lands’ End’s turnaround before the company was sold to Sears.


After the sale, Mr. Dyer took charge of Sears’ customer direct division and his merchandising expertise was being counted on to help the company revive its lagging fortunes.


This week, reports The Chicago Tribune, Mr. Dyer told employees he would be leaving the company on August 8 to pursue other opportunities.


Mr. Dyer’s announcement was not a surprise. As the former chief executive at Lands’ End, it was thought unlikely his tenure at Sears would be long.


Mindi Meads, another former Lands’ Ender, becomes the top merchant in the customer direct division with Mr. Dyer’s departure. Ms. Mead led Lands’

End’s merchandising from 1998 up until the company was sold.


Bobbie Lenga, head of the retail for the executive search firm Russell Reynolds, told the Tribune, “Mindy’s strengths are leadership and merchandising”.


Two other Lands’ End alumn, Lee Eisenberg, chief creative and administrative officer for Sears’ Lands’ End division and Dennis Honan, chief operating officer for Lands’ End will join Ms. Meads in assuming the responsibilities previously held by Mr. Dyer.


Moderator’s Comment: Does Dave Dyer’s departure represent
any significant transitional challenges for Sears? How can retail businesses
more effectively protect themselves from the disruptions caused when top managers
leave a company?


Sears’ consumer direct division would appear to be in
good hands with the capable executives who came over with Dave Dyer in the Lands’
End deal. They will have to be better than good for Sears to achieve any sizeable
market share increases in either soft or hard lines in the future.

[George
Anderson – Moderator
]

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