Marketing

Rack Room Shoes realigns leadership to drive digital innovation

Brian Burnett, senior vice president, chief merchandise officer, and Molly Hartney, chief digital fficer. Photo courtesy of Rack Room

July 22, 2025

Rack Room Shoes, a leading footwear retailer, has realigned its merchandising and digital strategies to navigate the evolving retail landscape and announced several leadership promotions.

Brian Burnett, senior vice president, general merchandise manager, has been promoted to senior vice president, chief merchandise officer. In this expanded role, he will lead the company's product and merchandising strategies, driving innovation and ensuring alignment across vendor relations, inventory management and product sourcing, according to a press release.

Molly Hartney, chief marketing officer, has been promoted to chief digital officer. This newly-created role underscores Rack Room Shoes' focus on strengthening its digital presence and optimizing its digital sales portfolio to integrate the company's marketing functions with its digital sales and omnichannel strategies.

"These strategic leadership changes and organizational realignments are pivotal in our ongoing efforts to streamline operations and enhance alignment," Mark Lardie, president and chief executive officer of Rack Room Shoes, said in the release. "Brian, with his deep understanding of consumer trends and merchandising excellence, and Molly, a creative marketing and digital innovator, are uniquely positioned to propel Rack Room Shoes forward. By optimizing our merchandising and digital strategies under their exceptional leadership, we are ensuring sustained success in a dynamic market."

Rack Room Shoes operates more than 520 locations nationwide under the Rack Room Shoes and Off Broadway Shoe Warehouse brands.