Specialty retailer Brookstone, based in Merrimack, hired Steven Goldsmith as president and CEO to lead the company’s continued expansion in product development, U.S. and China-based retail stores, and wholesale partnerships.
Goldsmith brings more than 25 years of experience in retail, merchandising and marketing to the role, including serving as president of The Shopping Channel, Canada’s multi-channel retailer, from 2012 to 2016. He was executive vice president of Merchandising at Sears Canada Inc. from 2011 to 2012. Prior to that, he served as executive vice president of Limited Brands Direct, where he led the marketing, merchandising, and eCommerce for Victoria’s Secret Direct and Bath & Body Works Direct from 2007 to 2011.
Throughout his career, Goldsmith has held leadership positions for major brands, including Amazon, SmartBargains (now RueLaLa), and ShopNBC, where the eCommerce business increased six-fold over the two-year period he was there. After graduating in 1988 from The State University of New York, Albany, Goldsmith joined the May Department Stores Company, spending the first decade of his retail career in the Lord & Taylor, Filene’s, and Foley’s divisions.
“I’ve always been in love with Brookstone,” says Goldsmith. “It’s about moments of discovery, excitement and fun. Whenever I saw the big ‘B,’ I knew it was going to be a great experience. Even more gratifying has been the passion and commitment that I’ve found among Brookstone associates in the field, in our customer care center, and at our home office.”
Goldsmith comes on board at a critical time for the company, which opened seven store locations in China this year, including major shopping centers in Shanghai, Suzhou and Nanjing, and will have key Brookstone-branded gifts sold in 300 Macy’s department store locations in time for Christmas. Brookstone also expanded its footprint among other retailers including Bed Bath and Beyond and Costco. In addition to an expansion of its lines of massagers, Big Blue Bluetooth speakers and mobile projectors, Brookstone will also help launch products from new makers such as the Baubax Travel Hoodie, Bullrest Travel Pillow, CityBug2 Electric Scooter and the Ariana Grande Limited Edition Wireless Cat Ear Headphones.
Brookstone, founded in 1965, develops and sells an array of of wellness, entertainment, and travel products at its 200-plus retail locations, online and through its catalog. Brookstone is a subsidiary of Sanpower Group Company, a private conglomerate whose primary businesses are engaged in technology and service industries. Sanpower has a global workforce of 90,000, including 30,000 staff from its non-Chinese enterprises.
Current Issue - May 2024