Bath & Body Works Announces Exec’s Exit

Bath & Body Works Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) announced that Julie Rosen, the company’s President, Retail will step down from that role, effective immediately. In conjunction with that move, the company eliminated Rosen’s post, moving largely all functions which previously reported to her to CEO Gina Boswell.

In its coverage of the decision, the Business of Fashion website said, “Despite a wider boom in the body care category, the company has struggled to capitalize on the moment. The company has a high debt load, and sales have stagnated as consumers increasingly favor younger, more dynamic brands in the category such as Sol de Janeiro and Naturium. Bath & Body Works’ stock is down more than 30% since the start of this year.”

In addition, BOF reported that Olivia Tong, an equity analyst at investment bank Raymond James, said the management reshuffle would allow for faster decision-making and improved execution.

In the company’s news release, Boswell said, “… Having made significant progress in fortifying our operating foundation and building our platform for long-term, sustainable growth, we believe that now is the right time for this change and that we will benefit from accelerated decision-making as a flatter organization.”

Overall, the retailer has 1870 company-operated locations in the U.S. and Canada, and more than 490 international franchised locations.