What: James Newell has been appointed vice president and general merchandise manager for men’s at Bloomingdale’s, succeeding Daniel Leppo.

Why it is important: The appointment leverages Newell’s extensive experience from Saks and other luxury retailers, supporting Bloomingdale’s transformation and growth trajectory.

James Newell’s appointment as vice president and general merchandise manager for men’s at Bloomingdale’s marks a significant leadership transition for the retailer. Succeeding Daniel Leppo, who moved to Macy’s earlier this year, Newell brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles at Saks Global, Rent the Runway, Barneys New York, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Neiman Marcus. Known for his ability to balance creativity with commercial acumen, Newell has a track record of fostering emerging designers, cultivating exclusive collaborations, and curating elevated assortments. Reporting to chief merchant Denise Magid, he will oversee tailored clothing, designer, contemporary, shoes, accessories, and private label for men’s. This strategic hire comes at a time when Bloomingdale’s is strengthening its merchant organisation and focusing on innovative leadership to drive the next phase of its men’s business. The move underscores the retailer’s commitment to evolving its brand and maintaining a competitive edge in the dynamic department store landscape.

IADS Notes: James Newell’s arrival at Bloomingdale’s follows a period of notable executive movement between Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, as seen with Daniel Leppo’s transition in March 2025 (“Macy’s names Bloomingdale’s veteran as SVP, GMM of men’s and kids,” WWD). This leadership shift aligns with Bloomingdale’s broader transformation strategy, highlighted by expanded merchandising roles in June 2025 (“Bloomingdale’s men’s fashion director adds women’s fashion to its role,” WWD) and a focus on customer experience, as discussed by CEO Olivier Bron in July 2025 (“Bloomingdale’s CEO Olivier Bron interviewed by McKinsey on the future of the department store model,” McKinsey). The retailer’s sustained growth, reported in September 2025 (“Bloomingdale’s posts fourth consecutive quarter of growth,” WWD), further demonstrates the impact of these strategic changes, while ongoing shareholder discussions at Macy’s in December 2024 (“Activists push Macy’s to cut CapEx and consider selling Bloomingdale’s,” WWD) emphasise the high stakes of leadership decisions within the group.

Bloomingdale’s names James Newell men’s GMM