Robert Chavez, who most recently served for 24 years as president and chief executive officer of Hermès Americas, will join Macy’s Inc.’s board of directors on April 1.
In a statement Monday on the appointment, Macy’s said Chavez spent his more than 45-year career in the retail industry focusing on luxury. At Hermès Americas, a division of Hermès International Société, Chavez oversaw operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America, which included growing the company’s e-commerce business after Hermès became one of the first luxury retail companies with an e-commerce website, adding several Hermès product categories to the assortment, and increasing the brand’s store footprint. He remains executive chairman of the division until his retirement on March 31. Diane Mahady is the new president of Hermès Americas.
Before Hermès, Chavez served for eight years as the CEO of Etienne Aigner Group, a Munich-based luxury brand, where he gained experience across manufacturing, wholesale and global retail. Chavez began his retail career in the Bloomingdale’s executive development program and later moved to Macy’s as a divisional merchandising manager.
“Bob will bring significant additional retail industry and leadership experience to our board as we further our efforts to capture market share across our three nameplates,” said Tony Spring, chairman and CEO of Macy’s Inc., in a statement. “We look forward to benefitting from Bob’s insights as we continue to execute our Bold New Chapter initiatives and work toward delivering sustainable, profitable growth and enhanced shareholder value.”
Macy’s Bold New Chapter strategy focuses on closing about 150 underproductive locations through 2026; prioritizing investments in service and better merchandise presentations at about 350 “go-forward” locations and expanding its small-format stores, which include the more specialized versions of Bloomingdale’s called Bloomies, and Macy’s. The retailers is also expanding its Bluemercury beauty and skin care chain, and enhancing luxury offerings, particularly in leather goods and beauty.
“I am honored to join the Macy’s Inc. board and serve as a director at the company where I started my career and in the industry which I am most passionate about,” Chavez said in his statement. “I look forward to collaborating with my fellow directors to capture the growth opportunities across the Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Bluemercury businesses for the benefit of all Macy’s Inc.’s stakeholders.”
Chavez will fill a slot on the board being vacated by Sara Levinson. She will not be up for re-election at the Macy’s 2025 annual meeting of shareholders in accordance with the board’s mandatory retirement age. Levinson has served on the board’s compensation and management development committee and nominating and corporate governance committee since 2004.
“On behalf of the entire board, I want to thank Sara for her contributions to Macy’s Inc. throughout her tenure as a director,” said Paul Varga, Macy’s Inc.’s lead independent director.
Varga also said that Chavez’ decades of luxury retail and leadership experience “will complement the skills and expertise of our other valued directors.”
The 69-year-old Chavez is also the executive in residence at The Savannah College of Art and Design, visiting classes, reviewing portfolios and mentoring SCAD students. He collaborates with academic leaders to review assignments for professional relevancy and develop new curriculum for the SCAD De Sole School of Business Innovation and the SCAD School of Fashion.
