FORT WAYNE, Ind., May 12, 2014 — Vera Bradley, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRA) (“Vera Bradley” or the “Company”) today announced that Thomas R. Giacalone has been named Vice President, E-Commerce.
Robert Wallstrom, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, noted, “Growing our e-commerce business is a critical piece of our five-year strategic plan, and we are very fortunate to have someone of Tom Giacalone’s background and caliber join Vera Bradley to lead this important function.”
Giacalone will be in charge of setting the strategic and tactical direction for verabradley.com and all of the digital operations associated with presenting the Vera Bradley brand on the web. In an effort to grow Vera Bradley as an omni-channel company, he will collaborate with many partners on both the retail (direct) and wholesale (indirect) sides of the business to establish the course for the Company’s enhanced digital strategy.
Giacalone is an experienced Fortune 50 executive with a wealth of both traditional and omni-channel retail experience. Since 2012, he has served as Vice President of Omni-Channel Strategy and eCommerce Operations for OfficeMax, where he led the omni-channel customer experience and drove operational efficiencies and revenue growth. Prior to that, he held various positions of increasing responsibility in stores, merchandising, operations and e-commerce with Sears Holdings, including the post of Divisional Vice President/General Manager of Multichannel Management.
Giacalone has been active with shop.org, the digital arm of the National Retail Federation (NRF), since 2004 and serves on the Member Services Committee.
Giacalone will report to the Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer once that position is filled but will report directly to Wallstrom in the interim. He will be based in Fort Wayne.
About Vera Bradley, Inc.
Vera Bradley, Inc. is a leading designer of women’s handbags and accessories, luggage and travel items, eyewear, stationery and gifts. Founded in 1982 by friends Barbara Bradley Baekgaard and Patricia R. Miller, the brand’s iconic designs and versatile styles offer women of all ages a colorful way to accessorize. Vera Bradley offers a unique, multi-channel sales model as well as a focus on service and a high level of engagement with fans. Fiscal 2014 net revenues totaled approximately $536 million. The Company’s commitment to breast cancer research continues to increase its reach through the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer. For more information about Vera Bradley (Nasdaq: VRA), visit www.verabradley.com/mediaroom.