NASHVILLE - Genesco Inc . (NYSE: NYSE:GCO), a leading footwear-focused retail company, announced on Monday the appointment of Cassandra "Sandra" Harris as its new Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer, effective October 7, 2024. Harris will be succeeding Thomas A. George, who is set to retire on December 12, 2024, after a distinguished 30-plus-year tenure as a public company CFO.
Harris brings a wealth of experience to Genesco, having previously held CFO and finance leadership roles at VF Corporation (NYSE:VFC), where she oversaw global business and financial strategies for over 50 lifestyle brands from 2008 to 2017. Her background also includes pivotal roles at Artisan Design Group and Tupperware (NYSE:TUP) Brands, where she was instrumental in transitioning the latter from a traditional direct seller to an omnichannel company.
In her new role at Genesco, Harris will report directly to Mimi E. Vaughn, Board Chair, President and CEO of Genesco, and will be responsible for managing the company's accounting, financial planning and analysis, investor relations, treasury, procurement, and tax functions. During the transition period, George will continue to serve as Genesco's Principal Accounting Officer.
Vaughn expressed confidence in Harris's ability to contribute to Genesco's sustainable growth and profitability, citing her consistent record of driving strategic growth and value across complex organizations. Harris's experience with VF Corporation's retail growth, e-commerce approach, and global technology transformation was highlighted as particularly valuable for Genesco's future.
Harris expressed her enthusiasm about joining Genesco at a pivotal time, looking forward to contributing to the company's next chapter of growth as a footwear industry leader.
This announcement is based on a press release statement by Genesco Inc. The company, founded in 1924 and headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, operates approximately 1,314 retail stores and branded e-commerce websites under various brands, including Journeys, Little Burgundy, Schuh, Johnston & Murphy, and licenses for Levi's (NYSE:LEVI), Dockers, and G.H. Bass.
In other recent news, Genesco Inc. reported fiscal second-quarter results for 2025 that exceeded expectations, with increased sales and improved bottom-line figures. The company experienced positive comparable sales in its Journeys brand, owing to a diverse product range and improved customer experiences. Despite challenges in certain brands due to shifting consumer preferences, Genesco remains focused on strategies for growth and profitability.
New initiatives include the appointment of Stacy Doren as Journeys' Chief Marketing Officer and refreshing store environments. The company's financial outlook remains cautious for Schuh and Johnston & Murphy, with a full-year EPS projection of $0.60 to $1. Genesco anticipates low single-digit growth in comparable sales for Q3, with a slight decrease in sales and gross margin.
Despite facing challenges from shifts in customer preferences, Genesco is investing in employee training and technology to improve customer engagement. A new store design for Journeys is set to roll out starting in October, targeting high-volume locations. These developments underscore Genesco's commitment to adapt and grow in a dynamic retail environment.
InvestingPro Insights
As Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) prepares for this significant leadership transition, investors may find valuable insights from recent financial data and expert analysis. According to InvestingPro, Genesco's market capitalization stands at $304.9 million, reflecting its position in the footwear retail sector.
The company's financial health presents a mixed picture. An InvestingPro Tip highlights that Genesco's liquid assets exceed short-term obligations, suggesting a solid near-term financial position. This could provide the incoming CFO, Sandra Harris, with some flexibility as she takes on her new role.
However, another InvestingPro Tip notes that Genesco has not been profitable over the last twelve months, with a negative P/E ratio of -481.07. This underscores the challenges facing the company and the importance of Harris's experience in driving strategic growth and value.
On a more positive note, analysts predict that the company will be profitable this year, aligning with the InvestingPro Tip that net income is expected to grow. This projection could be encouraging for investors and may reflect the potential impact of the leadership changes and strategic initiatives mentioned in the article.
It's worth noting that Genesco's stock price movements are quite volatile, according to another InvestingPro Tip. This volatility, combined with the company's current financial performance, highlights the importance of the incoming CFO's role in stabilizing and growing the business.
For investors seeking a more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips and insights beyond those mentioned here. In fact, there are 8 additional InvestingPro Tips available for Genesco, which could provide a deeper understanding of the company's financial position and future prospects as it enters this new phase of leadership.
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