Sears Canada Inc. announced the appointment of Calvin McDonald as its President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. McDonald most recently served as Executive Vice President, Conventional Division of Loblaw Companies Limited, with responsibility for over $10 billion revenue, over 400 stores and over 50,000 associates. Mr. McDonald will succeed Dene Rogers, who has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sears Canada since 2006.
Mr. McDonald began working in retail more than 18 years ago. He graduated from the University of Western Ontario with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1994. Mr. McDonald also earned an MBA at the University of Toronto in 2000. Mr. McDonald has progressed through a variety of positions with increasing responsibility at Loblaw Companies: Vice President On-line Services, Vice President Merchandising & Marketing—No Frills Division, Senior Vice President, Grocery Business Unit, and Executive Vice President, Marketing, CRM—Brands & Corporate Strategy. Mr. McDonald is married with four children and lives in Toronto.
"The Board of Directors of Sears Canada is pleased to have attracted Mr. McDonald to lead Sears Canada and assume a position on the Board," said William C. Crowley, Chairman of the Board, Sears Canada Inc. "Calvin brings extensive retail experience, knowledge of on-line and customer-relationship technologies, an energetic and engaging leadership style, and an appreciation for the opportunity that Sears Canada represents. Calvin joins an experienced executive team - with success and expertise in department store and specialty retail, both in operations and merchandising."
"I am excited to join Sears Canada," said Mr. McDonald. "The executive team shares the Board's and my belief that Sears Canada has the potential to significantly increase its sales and profitability by better serving customers, by improving our brand offerings, by executing at a higher level in all channels, and by capitalizing on the affinity and affection that we Canadians have for this iconic retail brand. I particularly look forward to working with our vendors to achieve profitable and sustainable growth together."
"The Board would like to express its gratitude to Dene Rogers, who has served diligently as our President and Chief Executive Officer since 2006," added Mr. Crowley. "Dene presided over many initiatives aimed at improving the lives of Canadians such as the launch of the updated Attitude women's apparel brand and the significant sales growth of the younger-minded customer, an expanded gift registry service, growth in e-commerce and the introduction of several sustainability programs including those that led to Sears Canada being named as ENERGY STAR(®) Retailer of the Year for the past four consecutive years.
"Two years ago," continued Mr. Crowley, "Dene told me he was considering returning to the U.S. with his family, but wanted to stay while the Company weathered the economic recession and hired a management team that could take the business forward. We thank Dene for his loyalty, incredible hard work, and the beneficial changes he brought to Sears Canada."
"I want to thank the associates of Sears Canada for their support over the past several years," said Dene Rogers. "I have enjoyed my time here and feel that we have accomplished a great deal together. I look forward to hearing of great progress at Sears Canada."
Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a network that includes 196 corporate stores, 272 hometown dealer stores, 33 home improvement showrooms, 1,800 catalogue merchandise pick-up locations, 108 Sears Travel offices and a nationwide home maintenance, repair, and installation network. The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.