QVC Taps Wal-Mart Exec Watts

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 12/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

West Chester, Pa. —

Interactive retailer QVC has hired Wal-Mart evp merchandising Claire Watts, naming her president of U.S. commerce, effective May 1, 2008; she will join QVC on Jan. 8.

Watts will report to QVC president and ceo Mike George. She will oversee planning, programming, merchandising, broadcasting, TV sales, and QVC.com for the U.S. operation. She also will play a key role in extending the QVC brand among existing and new customers and driving growth across all platforms.

With Wal-Mart 10 years, she previously worked in merchandising and product roles at Paul Harris, The Limited, and Land's End. Watts started her retail career in the May Co. executive training program.

In recent months, QVC has launched its first-ever national ad campaign, redesigned QVC.com, and updated its on-air studio sets.