Brylane announced yesterday that it will eliminate 5 percent of its executive workforce as it reorganizes its catalog business.
As part of a strategic operating plan, the company will divide its catalog business into three groups in an attempt to focus more on product development and catalog presentation. The groups include Special Size, Misses Apparel and Brylane Home Lifestyle.
“This new structure will enable us to improve our products and presentation, while offering greater service to our customers,” said Russell Stravitz, Brylane's chairman/CEO. “We believe these actions will strengthen our business by utilizing shared talent and lowering our cost structure, thus improving our bottom line.”
Kevin Doyle, Brylane's executive vice president, will manage the Special Size group, which includes Lane Bryant, Roamans and King Size in New York.
Steve Goldberg, president of Brylane's Home Lifestyle Group in New York, will manage the Misses Apparel Group on an interim basis. That unit includes Chadwick's, Lerner and Jessica London. Goldberg also will continue to oversee Brylane Home.
Stravitz said the company's decision to reduce overhead by restructuring was difficult, knowing that jobs would have to be eliminated. The company, however, did not release how many people would be affected by the cuts.
“Even in this challenging market environment, we remain confident in the future of the Brylane business and look forward to the new model promoting growth and profitability,” he said.
