Home Shopping Network CEO says it's a good time to be a retailer

If timing is everything, Mindy Grossman had little to work with last year. The long-time Nike executive became CEO of HSN Inc. (HSNI) in 2006, as it struggled to find its place in the stable of Barry Diller's InterActive Corp. (IACI).

IAC spun off businesses, including HSN and TicketMaster, as separate public companies in mid-August 2008, just in time for the stock market collapse. HSN's stock tanked from around $16 per share to a bottom of $1.40.

Grossman led an effort to revamp HSN's programming and products, adding designers, star chefs and celebrities. Customer service was overhauled, including bringing offshore call centers back to the U.S. And an improved web site, video on demand and cellphone video offerings added more shopping channels.