After just six months on the job, Stein Mart Inc. announced Thursday that CEO Dawn Robertson tendered her resignation.
The company gave no reason for her resignation.
President and Chief Operating Officer D. Hunt Hawkins was named interim CEO to replace her.
The company did say in a news release that comparable-store sales have dropped 4 percent in the first two months of the third quarter. Comparable-store sales are sales at stores open for more than one year and are considered a key indicator of a retailer’s performance.
“Some of the sales initiatives that have been developed under Dawn’s leadership are important for our future and we will continue to cultivate them to drive sales in this challenging retail environment,” Chairman Jay Stein said in the news release.
“Hunt has been a valued leader at Stein Mart for over 20 years. The Board and I are confident in his ability to guide our associates and to continue implementing our strong sales strategies,” he said.
Hawkins said in the release, “We believe that several of the new merchandising strategies that have been developed this year will positively impact our future sales. However, implementation has been too rapid and has been challenging for our customers.
“It is important that we remain focused on meeting the needs of our existing customers as we drive change,” he said.