Claire’s Stores announced Jan. 4 the appointment of Jay
Friedman as president of the North American division, effective immediately. He will report to CEO Gene Kahn.

Friedman will lead both the Claire’s and Icing businesses
and will directly oversee buying, planning and allocation, supply
chain, stores, and overall operations of approximately 2,000 stores in the
United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 

Friedman was most recently president and CEO of Jones Retail
Corp., Nine West Group. He started
his career as an assistant buyer in 1971 and rose through the ranks at Macy’s,
May Company, and Dayton-Hudson Corporation. In 1997, Friedman was appointed president of Footlocker USA,
where he led the activities of the 1,600-store chain.  Prior to joining Jones Apparel Group
Inc. in 2006, he held the position of COO and president, wholesale, for Etienne
Aigner, a European leather-goods manufacturer that was a major supplier of
footwear, handbags, and accessories to various department stores.

JCK