Body Central Corp. on Wednesday announced the appointment of a new chief executive officer for the second time in less than two years.
The struggling fashion retailer said “in connection with” a decision by CEO Brian Woolf to retire at the end of the year, Ben Rosenfeld was appointed as president and CEO, effective immediately.
Rosenfeld was appointed to Jacksonville-based Body Central's board of directors in July. He has served in a number of positions in the retail industry, most recently as vice president of store operations for Kenneth Cole Productions.
“Ben has a wealth of experience and expertise in fashion retail and e-commerce and is the ideal candidate to lead the company in reaffirming its commitment to our core customers, improve efficiencies and position us to build long-term shareholder value,” Body Central Chairman Fred Lamster said in a news release.
Woolf was appointed CEO in February 2013 when Body Central was already trying to turn around a sales slump. He succeeded Allen Weinstein, who had resigned in August 2012.
Body Central, which operates 271 specialty apparel stores in 28 states, has continued to struggle, losing money for five straight quarters through the second quarter this year.
The company in August called off plans to move from its Southside headquarters to a larger office and distribution center at One Imeson Center in North Jacksonville.
“I look forward to vigorously working to enhance the company's retail visibility, pursue the company's renewed focus on inventory velocity, focus on the company's core customer demographic and key nightlife product niche, and continue to rein in expenses. I believe our company can establish itself as the retail destination for its value-conscious, trend-driven fashion consumer,” Rosenfeld said in the news release.
Woolf has agreed to stay with the company through the end of this year to assist Rosenfeld during the transition.
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