James Brett Biography

James (Jim) Brett is the president of West Elm, overseeing all aspects of the fastest growing brand in the Williams-Sonoma, Inc. portfolio. He joined the West Elm team in early 2010.

Leading with a vision to "make it simple for people to express their personal style at home," Brett developed an influential new look and feel for the brand's products and marketing, and an innovative strategy to engage new and core customers in the stores, catalog, online and through social media. Under his leadership, West Elm has achieved significant growth in revenue and earnings, and now has more than 50 stores in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK.

In 2012, Brett oversaw the launch of West Elm Market, a collection of products in the kitchen, garden, care & repair and personal care categories, with a focus on functional design, local production, entrepreneurship and community connections. West Elm Market can be found in two stand-alone stores and shop-in-shops in West Elm stores around the country.

An advocate for global handicraft, product provenance and the scaling of small production goods, Brett has expanded West Elm's product range by collaborating with craft workers and artisan communities around the world. He led the brand's cross-channel and first of its kind partnership with Etsy.com. In 2013, he initiated the brand's Clinton Global Initiative Commitment to Action: a two-year, $35 million handcraft purchasing plan supplemented by a transparency pledge around the making and sourcing of those products.

Mr. Brett came to West Elm with more than 19 years of retail experience, most recently in leadership roles at Philadelphia-based Urban Outfitters, Inc. As Chief Merchandising Officer, overseeing all categories of the popular lifestyle brand, he led the development of exclusive and private label products, brand collaborations and a redefined brand portfolio.

Prior to Urban Outfitters, Mr. Brett developed a passion for home goods as the Merchandise Manager for the Anthropologie Home brand, traveling extensively to source products and inspiration from around the world. He has also served in various merchandising roles with leading retailers including the J.C. Penny Corporation, Inc. and May Company Department Stores.

Mr. Brett holds a bachelor's degree from Boston University. He is active in the Dumbo Improvement District, revitalization advocacy for one of New York's earliest industrial neighborhoods, and the "It Gets Better Project," an international anti-bullying movement in support of LGBT youth.

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