Observed Signal · Jun 12, 2026 · Leadership Change · Source: Retail Dive · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Build‑A‑Bear reorganizes top leadership
Build‑A‑Bear has completed a leadership reshuffle: Chris Hurt has formally become CEO, succeeding Sharon Price John (who remains on the board). The company appointed Dave Henderson as chief growth officer (previously chief revenue officer) and expanded CFO Voin Todorovic’s responsibilities by adding the chief administrative officer title, per company filings. The changes come after Build‑A‑Bear reported Q1 revenue of $125.3 million, down 2.4% year‑over‑year, while net income rose about 19% to $18.3 million. The company lowered its fiscal 2026 revenue guidance to a range of $530 million to $550 million. The leadership updates are framed by management as aligning the organization around strategic priorities for profitable growth.
Retail leadership and financial guidance changes at a consumer retail brand — relevant to retail sector stakeholders and may influence merchandising, marketing and partnership plans but is not industry‑shifting for AdTech/MarTech.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Chris Hurt has formally taken on the role of CEO of Build‑A‑Bear (effective June 2026) and joined the board of directors.
- Sharon Price John announced her planned departure in March and remains a member of Build‑A‑Bear’s board.
- CFO Voin Todorovic assumed the additional role of chief administrative officer, according to SEC filings.
- Dave Henderson was appointed chief growth officer after serving as the company’s chief revenue officer.
- Build‑A‑Bear reported Q1 revenue of $125.3 million (down 2.4% year‑over‑year), net income of $18.3 million (up ~19%), and lowered 2026 revenue guidance to $530M–$550M.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Sharon Price John: From CMO to Transformative CEO
Build‑A‑Bear President and CEO Sharon Price John discusses her transition from marketing roles to the C‑suite and the leadership practices that guided the brand’s turnaround. Recorded on the Brandweek 2025 stage, the interview covers the importance of building quantitative business skills for CMOs, reframing confidence gaps that hold women back from stretch roles, leading turnarounds with vulnerability and authenticity, and prioritizing a brand’s emotional core over product features. At Build‑A‑Bear, Price John repositioned the 30‑year‑old retail chain into a diversified IP‑driven business and expanded digital commerce to about 40% of sales. The piece also previews Joshua Spanier’s new podcast Frontier CMO, which highlights AI as a leadership challenge, agentic commerce, and reorganizing marketing teams for AI-enabled workflows.
Build-A-Bear's Stunning Turnaround: From Retail to Emotional Experience
In an Adspeak by ADWEEK interview recorded at Brandweek, Sharon Price John, president and CEO of Build‑A‑Bear Workshop, describes the strategic choices behind the company's turnaround. She attributes the recovery to reframing the brand as an emotional experience rather than a physical workshop, operational improvements (sourcing, margin optimization, pricing, lease strategy), targeted storytelling (e.g., holiday narratives) and expansion into teen and adult audiences. Those moves helped drive a reported 2,000% stock surge and shifted roughly 40% of revenue to teens and adults. John emphasizes diagnosing brand versus business problems, balancing data with creativity, financial literacy for marketing leaders, and proactive operational work that enabled rapid pivots after COVID-related store closures.
Best Buy reshuffles C-suite ahead of CEO transition
Best Buy announced five immediate executive appointments that will report to incoming CEO Jason Bonfig as the retailer prepares for a CEO transition. Frank Bedo becomes chief strategy and growth officer; Patrick McGinnis is chief revenue officer; Luke Motschenbacher is chief retail and services officer; Lisa Valentino is chief ads and media officer; and Duane Scarboro is chief fulfillment and operations officer. Several appointees are longtime Best Buy employees, with four of the five having more than 20 years at the company. Best Buy also confirmed CFO Matt Bilunas will depart at the end of July and the retailer is conducting an external search for his replacement.
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