Footwear retail company Footlocker Inc. announced on August 19, 2022, that it had appointed Mary Dillon as its CEO. She replaces Richard Johnson, who has been CEO since 2014 and is going to retire. Dillon was previously the CEO of a beauty retail company Ulta Beauty. It also announced on Friday that its board has opted to divide the responsibilities of chair and CEO, with Dona Young, the organization’s top independent director, taking on the non-executive chair position beginning in February.

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Following the news, shares of the footwear retailer increased almost 19% before the bell as it also disclosed a second quarter comparative sales decline that was less severe than anticipated and earnings that above expectations. Johnson will remain in his position as executive chairman of the board through January 31. According to Reuters, The expansion of Ulta Beauty’s e-commerce business was a major focus of Dillon’s eight years as CEO of the company. Foot Locker has also been extensively pursuing this strategy to offset the declining presence of its largest supplier, Nike at the retail chain.

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Who is Mary Dillon?

Mary Dillon is an American businesswoman. Dillon, the fourth of her six siblings, was born on December 16, 1964 in Chicago. Her mother was a housewife, while her father worked as a steel worker. She worked several jobs to pay for her tuition while attending the University of Illinois, including waitress, housekeeper, and bank teller. In 1983, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and Asian Studies.

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From July 2013 until June 2021, she served as the CEO of the beauty retail business Ulta Beauty before being elected chair. From 2005 until 2010, she served as McDonald‘s executive vice president and worldwide chief marketing officer. From 2010 to 2013, she served as U.S. Cellular’s CEO and president. 

In 2016, Dillon was recognised as one of Fortune’s most influential women. She also joined the Save the Children Federation’s trusteeship in 2016.

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She received the Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award for philanthropic work in October 2018. Dillon was recognised as one of Barron’s top CEOs in June 2019. The businesswoman announced plans for Ulta to grow its business worldwide in May 2019, starting with the launch of stores in Canada. The 56-year-old also serves as a Starbucks non-executive director.