Merrimack, N.H. — Thomas M. Via spent the past 12 years at Toys”R”Us, most recently as its senior vice president for Babies”R”Us in the U.S.
Merrimack, N.H. — Brookstone, Inc. will appoint senior retail executive Thomas M. Via as president and CEO, and as a member of its board of directors, effective December 1, 2014. Steven H. Schwartz, who had been serving as interim CEO, will resume his role as chief merchandising officer.
“We are extremely pleased that Tom will be leading Brookstone,” says Piau Phang Foo, chairman of the board of directors. “We conducted a broad search and interviewed several highly qualified candidates. We were impressed by Tom’s success at rejuvenating businesses and by his broad and deep achievements as a senior executive in the retail industry. He has demonstrated success at driving innovation and growth globally. We are also grateful to Steve Schwartz, who held the reins so capably, particularly as we enter our busiest season.”
Via spent the past 12 years at Toys”R”Us, most recently as its senior vice president for Babies”R”Us in the U.S. From 2010 to 2013 he was managing director (president) of Toys”R”Us, Australia, where he was responsible for all operations and business activities for the company’s Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us brands. Previously, he served as senior vice president, Toys”R”Us, Canada, where he was responsible for all merchandising, marketing and store planning activities for the Canada division. Via helped direct the expansion of the Toys”R”Us and Babies”R”Us integrated store format in Canada, as well as the launch of Toysrus.com.ca. Prior to joining Toys”R”Us, Via held merchandising positions at Wal-Mart (Canada), Payless ShoeSource, Kmart, and Hills Department Stores.
Brookstone, Inc. is an innovative product development and specialty lifestyle retail company that operates approximately 240 Brookstone branded stores nationwide and in Puerto Rico. For more information, visit http://www.brookstone.com.
SOURCE: Brookstone