Sephora announced that Calvin McDonald has been named president and CEO of Sephora Americas, effective on January 1, 2014. McDonald previously served as president and CEO of Sears Canada, a role he took after spending nearly two decades at Canada’s Loblaw Companies, serving in a variety of senior executive positions. He has distinguished himself as a world-class retailing executive by his exceptional creativity in marketing and creating compelling customer experiences rooted in exciting brands and product innovation. McDonald assumes his new role at Sephora Americas from David Suliteanu, who has led Sephora since July 2000.
Suliteanu is becoming the CEO of Kendo Brands, a separate LVMH entity which creates new beauty brands in partnership with creative leaders as well as acquires brands. The Kendo portfolio today includes brands such as Ole Henriksen, Kat von D, Formula X and Marc Jacobs Beauty, with others in development.
Under Suliteanu's leadership, Sephora has revolutionized the beauty industry in North America, by creating an entirely new retail shopping experience. Today, Sephora Americas offers in excess of 200 classic and emerging brands and is known as the destination for the freshest and most exciting assortment in beauty, and easily accessible expert advice and services from highly trained cast members (salespeople). Suliteanu and his team expanded Sephora’s base of stores in North America to more than 330; opened the Latin American market; led Sephora’s successful partnership with JC Penney, now with more than 400 locations; launched Beauty Insider, Sephora’s successful client-loyalty program; and driven state-of-the-art enhancements to Sephora’s award-winning digital strategy.
“Calvin McDonald has established himself as a visionary and highly talented industry leader at two of Canada’s largest and most important retailers. We are delighted to welcome him to Sephora Americas. He will focus on building on the extraordinary growth of the business in new and existing markets and continue Sephora’s exceptional track record of industry leadership driven by David Suliteanu,” said Christopher de Lapuente, CEO of Sephora Global and a member of the executive Ccmmittee of LVMH. “David is moving on to lead Kendo, an incubator of exciting and creative brands beauty brands. I am delighted that he will continue to contribute to the success of Sephora and LVMH.”
Suliteanu commented, “Thanks to a phenomenal team and the support of LVMH, the last 13 years at Sephora have been amazing. Based on his background in creating new and exciting consumer experiences, Calvin will be a great leader for the Sephora Americas team. I am excited about the opportunity to continue to work with LVMH and Sephora in growing this new business model that a few years ago was just an idea.”
McDonald said of the appointment, “It is thrilling to be joining Sephora Americas, which is known across the retail industry for not only having revolutionized the beauty business but also for delivering a consistent stream of innovation in terms of merchandise, experience and digital capabilities that excite and inspire customers. I am looking forward to working with the exceptional Sephora team to build on what they have accomplished under David’s leadership. Sephora Americas is an amazing success story, and I am proud and privileged to work with our cast members, brand partners and customers and colleagues worldwide as we work to take Sephora Americas to the next level of innovation and growth."
