Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Announces New Leadership Roles within Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn Brands

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. Announces New Leadership Roles within Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn Brands
Home Furnishings Leader Appoints Top Talent Reinforcing Company's Commitment to
Quality Products and Superior Retail Experiences

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (NYS: WSM) today announced the hiring of David Jimenez as Senior Vice President, Visual and Store Experience, for the Williams-Sonoma brand, and new leadership roles for three of its Senior Vice Presidents.

"As we continue to drive performance for the company's portfolio of multi-channel brands, our strong emphasis and commitment to top executive talent within our namesake and core brands is fundamental to our position as a category leader," commented Laura Alber, the company's President and Chief Executive Officer.

David Jimenez will be joining the Williams-Sonoma brand as Senior Vice President, Visual and Store Experience. "At Williams-Sonoma we are committed to offering unique in-store experiences to our customers. David is the right person to drive this focus and will lead us toward new innovation and continued growth for the brand," commented Janet Hayes, President of the Williams-Sonoma brand. Jimenez previously served as Vice President for Visual Merchandising and Store Design at Hallmark, supporting the company's store evolution efforts and helping it improve performance through new levels of customer engagement. Prior to Hallmark, David worked at national retailers including Gap Inc., Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn.

Peter Sassi has been appointed Senior Vice President, Stores, of the Williams-Sonoma brand. In his new role Sassi will continue to bring strategic insights, deepen customer relationships and evolve the in-store experience. For the past 10 years, Sassi has served as Senior Vice President, Inventory Management, for the Williams-Sonoma brand. Sassi has been a vital partner to the stores team, demonstrating a passion for engagement with field management and a strong understanding of the Williams-Sonoma customer.

Jeff Howie will now serve as the Senior Vice President, Inventory Management and Finance of the Williams-Sonoma brand. Howie brings more than 10 years of experience with the company as a strategic and detail-oriented leader, most recently as Senior Vice President, Inventory Management, for the Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen brands. He has managed major company-wide projects, including the launch of the company's global franchise operations. Howie has been an integral partner in helping grow the Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen brands.

John Trifoso is expanding his current role as Senior Vice President, Pottery Barn Inventory Management, to lead the inventory management teams for the Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and PBteen brands. Sandra Stangl, President of the Pottery Barn brands, commented: "John has been with the company for nine years and has led the Pottery Barn inventory team through a period of unprecedented growth. This move to consolidate inventory for the Pottery Barn brands will enhance the company's ability to meet customers' needs at every life stage."

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that, if they do not fully materialize or prove incorrect, could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include statements related to the strategies of the Williams-Sonoma brand and Pottery Barn brands, and future growth within the company's brands. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include the risk that the strategies of the Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn brands are not successful. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

ABOUT WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is a specialty retailer of high-quality products for the home. These products, representing eight distinct merchandise strategies - Williams-Sonoma (cookware and wedding registry), Pottery Barn (furniture and wedding registry), Pottery Barn Kids (kids' furniture and baby registry), PBteen (girls' bedding and boys' bedding), West Elm (modern furniture and room decor), Williams-Sonoma Home (luxury furniture and decorative accessories), Rejuvenation (lighting and hardware) and Mark and Graham (personalized gifts and gifts for the home) - are marketed through e-commerce websites, direct mail catalogs and 587 stores. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. currently operates in the United States, Canada and Australia, offers international shipping to customers worldwide, and has an unaffiliated franchisee that operates 24 stores in the Middle East.

WILLIAMS-SONOMA, INC.
Patrick J. Connolly, 415-616-8746
EVP, Chief Marketing Officer
-or-
LaForce + Stevens
Olita Mills, 212-242-9353

KEYWORDS: United States North America California

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