CEO Neela Montgomery will step down from her role on August 1st .
Crate & Barrel Holdings, Inc., which curates inspiration for the modern home, connecting the creative work of artisans and designers to people and places around the world, announced that after six successful years with the Otto Group—first as a member of the Executive Board of the Otto Group responsible for Retail and later as CEO of Crate and Barrel Holdings, Inc.—Neela has decided to leave the company on August 1st to pursue new opportunities. Neela informed the board of her decision late last year and the name of her successor will be announced shortly.
Montgomery is the third CEO at the company to do so in the past six years.
Montgomery is hailed for seamlessly integrating the retailer’s online and offline channels. Speaking at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show earlier this year, Retail Dive adds, she said 51% of the retailer’s 2019 holiday sales, across its three brands, were made online. This came as Montgomery revealed the retailer halted TV ad spots for the first time last holiday season and instead shifted its focus to social channels, like Instagram, and digital marketing. And that shift to digital has only grown in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced consumers to shop online as nonessential retail temporarily closed. During her tenure, the retailer also launched a new concept, The Table at Crate, last July and quickly announced plans to expand the restaurant to additional stores. The company in its release also praised her efforts in leading the expansion of the CB2 brand and acquiring home decor brand Hudson Grace last year.
Prof. Dr. Michael Otto, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Otto Group said: “I would like to personally thank Neela for her contribution to the Otto Group over the past six years, first during her tenure in Hamburg and then as the CEO of Crate and Barrel. Though we are losing a global leader whose strategic vision, customer focus and digital expertise has brought us much success, I wish her well in her future endeavors.”
