It's been a long while since we've heard of intrepid retailer Dawn Robertson in these parts. When parent Coles Myer flogged its Myer department store arm to US private equity giants TPG and Newbridge in 2006, Robertson walked with around $18 million for her 3½-year stint at the helm, having been heavily incentivised to join in 2002 from Bloomingdales and Macy's parent Federated Department Stores.
And she's barely stood still since. Robertson returned to the US and subsequently spent two years as president of Sean John, two as president of Old Navy, two as CEO of Avenue, one as president of Nygard, and two as CEO of Deb Shops until it went bust, according to the New York Post. She then managed a year at sneaker company UNKNWN, resigning to join Florida department store Stein Mart in February. And last week, after just seven months, she resigned from there too. Sounds like she's burned through Coles Myer's $18 million just on removalists!
