Ginny Gerard is taking the helm at Rigby & Peller U.S.
Gerard has been named chief executive officer of the intimate apparel retailer’s U.S. business, which includes an e-commerce site and 12 stores across New York, Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, Houston, Philadelphia and Southern California.
“Rigby & Peller has long been known for making a positive difference in women’s lives and I am excited to lead a company with such a rich heritage and passionate international following,” said Gerard, who most recently served as executive vice president at Christofle North America. “It’s an honor to bring Rigby & Peller’s empowering message of celebrating every woman’s unique shape to the U.S.”
Last October, Rigby & Peller, a U.K.-based retailer that’s owned by Belgian lingerie company Van de Velde, took over Intimacy stores in the U.S. Intimacy, a multibrand intimate apparel store known for its fit consultations, was founded by Susan Nethero in 1992, who rose to fame as “The Bra Whisperer” after appearing on “Oprah” in 2005.
Van de Velde acquired a minority stake in Intimacy in 2007 before purchasing 85 percent of the business in 2010 for $13.5 million.
After the acquisition, Intimacy increased its retail footprint throughout the U.S. but it continued to lose money.
Rigby & Peller was founded in 1939 by Gita Peller and Bertha Rigby and purchased by June and Harold Kenton in 1982. Dirk De Vos, director of retail at Van de Velde, previously told WWD that its concept targets a wider variety of customers than Intimacy’s did. The stores carry brands including Simone Perele, Primadonna, Empreinte, Marie Jo, Stella McCartney, On Gossamer and Le Chat. Many of these vendors are exclusive to Rigby & Peller in the U.S.