Ryan Ross, president of the Williams Sonoma banner, has resigned to take a leadership role outside of the company.
Williams-Sonoma has lately been a busy retailer. It has launched a range of initiatives including, lately through its Pottery Store Kids brand, a children’s gear assortment expansion for children that comes in sizes from toddler to extra-large. Complementary lunch bags, food containers, water bottles and nap mats offer designs meant to ensure kids start the school year prepared and in style, the company indicated. PB Kids now provides tools to help ensure gear fits right and recipes to inspire school lunches. To help customers select size and style, Pottery Barn Kids has launched the online Gear Guide to showcase design and material features as well as sizing guides so consumers can easily visualize what fits in each bag.
Available in 97 print and pattern options, Williams-Sonoma embellished and enlivened the backpacks with icons, glow-in-the-dark elements and glitter. Many of the prints found on the backpacks also are available on lunchboxes, pencil cases, hot and cold containers, and water bottles, the company maintained. Consumers can personalize the products with a name or initial in a wide variety of font styles and color options
Pottery Barn Kids has successfully grown the brand’s gear assortment from what was once a seasonal capsule to a year-round business, Williams Sonoma pointed out, as customers have used products from the assortment for sports, travel, camp or any other activity that keeps kids on the go.
As to the executive change, Williams-Sonoma did not say where Ross’s next position would be.
In announcing the change, Carbullido said, “I am thrilled to join the Williams Sonoma team in taking this iconic brand to its next stage of growth and further developing its platform as a leader in the retail and culinary world for years to come.”
Laura Alber, Williams-Sonoma CEO, noted, “I am excited for the future growth opportunities we see in the Williams Sonoma brand with Felix at the helm. He has built an incredibly talented marketing organization, and together we will launch an internal and external search for our next CMO.”
