Nir Patel (pictured), who became CEO of Belk department store chain in July 2021, has left the company after less than a year on the job.
Current president and chief operating officer Don Hendricks was appointed interim CEO effective Monday.
Patel is leaving to become chief operating officer of GameStop, the video game retailer (and meme stock). He was the second nonfamily member to head Belk, following Lisa Harper.
Hendricks joined Belk in 2016 as the chief operating officer. He became president in 2020. Prior to joining Belk, Hendricks held C-level positions at Gymboree, Hot Topic, and Torrid.
In a statement, Belk said Hendricks was “instrumental in leading the company through the continued unpredictability of the COVID-19 pandemic and spearheading the company’s initiatives to enhance its omnichannel capabilities.”
Last year, the Charlotte, N.C.–based company, which is considered one of the oldest retailers in the United States, filed for Chapter 11 but managed to sail through the process in one day, thanks to a prepackaged deal with its creditors.
(Photo courtesy of Belk)
Follow JCK on Instagram: @jckmagazineFollow JCK on Twitter: @jckmagazine
Follow JCK on Facebook: @jckmagazine
