Marks and Spencer has appointed Next director Jo Jenkins to the critical role of director of lingerie and beauty, replacing ‘Knicker Queen’ Janie Schaffer who quit the retailer last month.
Jenkins, who began her retail career at M&S, will form part of the general merchandise leadership team, reporting directly to John Dixon, executive director of general merchandise.
At Next Jenkins was product director, womenswear, with responsibility for all buying, design and merchandising across lingerie, swimwear, nightwear, loungewear, footwear and accessories.
Dixon said: “We are delighted to attract a talented retailer like Jo to our team. She brings with her a wealth of experience, with excellent product knowledge and great customer understanding.”
M&S said Jenkins has a “proven track record in retail”, with over 25 years’ experience.
She started her career at M&S and spent over 12 years there in various retail and buying roles, before joining Next in 1997.
Jenkins’ predecessor Schaffer sensationally quit M&S last month, as revealed by Retail-week.com, after just three months, piling more pressure on the retailer’s struggling clothing business.
Schaffer has been dubbed “The Knicker Queen” as she was one half of the duo which launched lingerie chain Knickerbox in 1986.
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