Lands' End Appoints Charlie Cole as CEO
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jun 30 2026
0mins
Lands' End announced that its board of directors has appointed consumer brand and digital transformation executive Charlie Cole as CEO and a member of the board of directors, effective July 13. Cole will succeed Andrew McLean, who will step down as CEO and a member of the board of directors.
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About LE
Lands' End, Inc. is a digital retailer of solution-based apparel, swimwear, outerwear, accessories, footwear, home products and uniforms. The Company’s segments include U.S. eCommerce, Europe eCommerce, Outfitters, Third Party, Licensing and Retail. U.S. eCommerce segment offers products through the Company’s e-commerce Website. Europe eCommerce segment offers products primarily to consumers located in Europe and through e-commerce international websites and third-party affiliates. Outfitters segment sells uniform and logo apparel to businesses and their employees, as well as to student households through school relationships, located primarily in the United States. Third Party segment sells products direct to consumers through third-party marketplace Websites. Licensing segment earns royalties on the use of its trademark and any fulfillment fees for fulfillment services provided by the Company. Retail segment sells products through Company-operated stores located in the United States.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Lands' End Appoints Charlie Cole as CEO Effective July 2026
- New CEO Appointment: Lands' End has appointed Charlie Cole as CEO and board member effective July 13, 2026, bringing over 20 years of consumer brand leadership experience in digital commerce, technology, and omnichannel retail, which is expected to drive strategic transformation for the company.
- Leadership Transition: Cole will succeed current CEO Andrew McLean, who is stepping down from both roles, with this leadership change aimed at injecting new energy into the company to better respond to market competition and evolving consumer demands.
- Financial Outlook: Following the partnership with WHP Global, Lands' End anticipates adjusted EBITDA in the range of $68 million to $78 million, with revenue projected between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion, indicating growth potential post-restructuring.
- Performance Review: In its recent earnings report, Lands' End reported a non-GAAP EPS of -$0.11, beating expectations by $0.09, but revenue of $238.9 million fell short by $29.07 million, highlighting ongoing market challenges.
See More
Lands' End CEO Andrew McLean Steps Down, Charlie Cole to Succeed
- Executive Change: Lands' End CEO Andrew McLean announced his resignation effective July 13, with Charlie Cole, a consumer brand executive with over 20 years of experience in digital commerce and retail, set to take over, potentially steering the company towards a new strategic direction.
- Successor Background: Charlie Cole previously served as the interim Chief Digital Officer at Thuma and was the President of XGen AI, and his extensive experience is expected to aid Lands' End in its digital and omnichannel retail transformation.
- Market Reaction: Following the announcement, Lands' End shares fell 2.37% in pre-market trading on Nasdaq to $11.13, indicating market uncertainty regarding the executive transition.
- Strategic Implications: With Cole's appointment, Lands' End may accelerate its digital transformation efforts to address increasing market competition and enhance brand influence.
See More
Lands' End (LE) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Lands' End Q1 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Financial Performance Overview: Lands' End reported total revenue of $239 million for Q1, a 9% decline year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA at negative $6 million, reflecting challenges from shipment timing and royalties under the new structure, indicating operational difficulties.
- Demand Improvement Signals: Despite pressures from distribution center upgrades, consumer traffic increased by double digits, and new customer acquisitions improved, suggesting a gradual recovery in market demand that could lay the groundwork for future revenue growth.
- Future Outlook: Management expects Q2 net revenue to range between $290 million and $310 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $11 million and $14 million, reflecting confidence in future performance, particularly driven by new product categories.
- Enhanced Capital Flexibility: The Board authorized a share repurchase of up to $100 million through March 31, 2029, indicating a proactive stance on capital allocation aimed at enhancing shareholder value and addressing market volatility.
See More
Lands' End Reports Q1 2026 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Strong Brand Demand: Lands' End Inc reported double-digit growth in consumer traffic and improved new customer acquisition, indicating enhanced brand appeal in the market, thereby laying a foundation for future sales growth.
- Joint Venture Value Unlocking: The partnership with WHP Global is expected to generate high-margin royalty streams and potential equity upside, enhancing the company's long-term profitability and market competitiveness.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: The company has successfully cleared the backlog caused by distribution center upgrades, significantly improving operational efficiency and delivery speed, which is expected to enhance customer satisfaction and market responsiveness.
- Enhanced Financial Flexibility: After repaying its term loan, Lands' End boasts a strong balance sheet, significantly reducing interest expenses and enhancing financial flexibility, thereby supporting future investments and growth.
See More
Lands' End Q1 Earnings Report Analysis
- Earnings Highlights: Lands' End reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of -$0.11, beating expectations by $0.09, indicating resilience despite an 8.5% year-over-year revenue decline to $238.9M, which missed forecasts due to temporary disruptions from a new warehouse management system rollout.
- Revenue Decline Reasons: The revenue drop was primarily driven by the temporary disruptions associated with the new warehouse management system and the deliberate pacing of shipments, which posed challenges as the company ramped back to normal operations; excluding these impacts, low single-digit revenue growth was anticipated.
- Future Outlook: For Q2 fiscal 2026, the company expects net revenue between $290M and $310M, with net losses projected between $5M and $2M, and adjusted diluted EPS ranging from $0.06 to $0.16, reflecting cautious optimism about future performance.
- Annual Forecast Adjustments: For fiscal 2026, Lands' End now anticipates net revenue between $1.30B and $1.40B, net income between $310M and $320M, and adjusted EBITDA in the range of $68M to $78M, indicating confidence in long-term growth prospects.
See More
Lands' End Appoints Charlie Cole as CEO Effective July 2026
- New CEO Appointment: Lands' End has appointed Charlie Cole as CEO and board member effective July 13, 2026, bringing over 20 years of consumer brand leadership experience in digital commerce, technology, and omnichannel retail, which is expected to drive strategic transformation for the company.
- Leadership Transition: Cole will succeed current CEO Andrew McLean, who is stepping down from both roles, with this leadership change aimed at injecting new energy into the company to better respond to market competition and evolving consumer demands.
- Financial Outlook: Following the partnership with WHP Global, Lands' End anticipates adjusted EBITDA in the range of $68 million to $78 million, with revenue projected between $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion, indicating growth potential post-restructuring.
- Performance Review: In its recent earnings report, Lands' End reported a non-GAAP EPS of -$0.11, beating expectations by $0.09, but revenue of $238.9 million fell short by $29.07 million, highlighting ongoing market challenges.
See More
Lands' End CEO Andrew McLean Steps Down, Charlie Cole to Succeed
- Executive Change: Lands' End CEO Andrew McLean announced his resignation effective July 13, with Charlie Cole, a consumer brand executive with over 20 years of experience in digital commerce and retail, set to take over, potentially steering the company towards a new strategic direction.
- Successor Background: Charlie Cole previously served as the interim Chief Digital Officer at Thuma and was the President of XGen AI, and his extensive experience is expected to aid Lands' End in its digital and omnichannel retail transformation.
- Market Reaction: Following the announcement, Lands' End shares fell 2.37% in pre-market trading on Nasdaq to $11.13, indicating market uncertainty regarding the executive transition.
- Strategic Implications: With Cole's appointment, Lands' End may accelerate its digital transformation efforts to address increasing market competition and enhance brand influence.
See More
Lands' End (LE) Q1 2026 Earnings Transcript
See More
Lands' End Q1 Fiscal 2026 Earnings Call Insights
- Financial Performance Overview: Lands' End reported total revenue of $239 million for Q1, a 9% decline year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA at negative $6 million, reflecting challenges from shipment timing and royalties under the new structure, indicating operational difficulties.
- Demand Improvement Signals: Despite pressures from distribution center upgrades, consumer traffic increased by double digits, and new customer acquisitions improved, suggesting a gradual recovery in market demand that could lay the groundwork for future revenue growth.
- Future Outlook: Management expects Q2 net revenue to range between $290 million and $310 million, with adjusted EBITDA projected between $11 million and $14 million, reflecting confidence in future performance, particularly driven by new product categories.
- Enhanced Capital Flexibility: The Board authorized a share repurchase of up to $100 million through March 31, 2029, indicating a proactive stance on capital allocation aimed at enhancing shareholder value and addressing market volatility.
See More
Lands' End Reports Q1 2026 Earnings with Mixed Results
- Strong Brand Demand: Lands' End Inc reported double-digit growth in consumer traffic and improved new customer acquisition, indicating enhanced brand appeal in the market, thereby laying a foundation for future sales growth.
- Joint Venture Value Unlocking: The partnership with WHP Global is expected to generate high-margin royalty streams and potential equity upside, enhancing the company's long-term profitability and market competitiveness.
- Operational Efficiency Improvement: The company has successfully cleared the backlog caused by distribution center upgrades, significantly improving operational efficiency and delivery speed, which is expected to enhance customer satisfaction and market responsiveness.
- Enhanced Financial Flexibility: After repaying its term loan, Lands' End boasts a strong balance sheet, significantly reducing interest expenses and enhancing financial flexibility, thereby supporting future investments and growth.
See More
Lands' End Q1 Earnings Report Analysis
- Earnings Highlights: Lands' End reported a Q1 non-GAAP EPS of -$0.11, beating expectations by $0.09, indicating resilience despite an 8.5% year-over-year revenue decline to $238.9M, which missed forecasts due to temporary disruptions from a new warehouse management system rollout.
- Revenue Decline Reasons: The revenue drop was primarily driven by the temporary disruptions associated with the new warehouse management system and the deliberate pacing of shipments, which posed challenges as the company ramped back to normal operations; excluding these impacts, low single-digit revenue growth was anticipated.
- Future Outlook: For Q2 fiscal 2026, the company expects net revenue between $290M and $310M, with net losses projected between $5M and $2M, and adjusted diluted EPS ranging from $0.06 to $0.16, reflecting cautious optimism about future performance.
- Annual Forecast Adjustments: For fiscal 2026, Lands' End now anticipates net revenue between $1.30B and $1.40B, net income between $310M and $320M, and adjusted EBITDA in the range of $68M to $78M, indicating confidence in long-term growth prospects.
See More
