Amazon may hire ex-M&S executive Frances Russell for clothing launch

Amazon is said to be considering ex-head of Marks & Spencer (M&S) womenswear Frances Russell, for a senior role within the company, to expand its fashion business. Speculations also hint at the ecommerce major planning to launch its own fashion label soon.

Russell, who resigned from M&S last year, is expected to assist the company realise its dream of gaining a strong hold in the high-margin fashion business. The company has already advertised for positions such as fit specialist, inventory manager and merchandiser on its web platform. While its job post for a software development engineer in fashion technology read: “When you think of buying new clothing, shoes, watches and jewellery, do you think of Amazon? Not yet? Well, we are going to change that”, Amazon Fashion’s Vice President, Jeff Yurcisin, at a conference held late last year said that the company sighted opportunity in retailing its own clothing label.

Amazon, which began retailing third-party clothing brands way back in 2002 has become one of the leading fashion retailers in the US. The company also has strong fashion operations in the UK, with names like Tommy Hilfiger to New Look selling on its platform.