Carolyn McPherson

Vice President, Head of Merchandising @ Bed Bath & Beyond Canada

About

I am a passionate and results-driven retail professional with a proven track record of transforming retail experiences and driving financial growth for iconic brands. With extensive leadership experience, I thrive in dynamic environments, delivering innovative solutions and empowering teams to achieve breakthrough business results. My expertise spans merchandising, product development, store design, and strategic partnerships, with a focus on understanding customer needs and creating impactful solutions that enhance their lives. I oversee key market-leading businesses, manage partnerships with renowned vendors, and lead the development of disruptive innovations and private label brands. I am committed to mentoring others, especially women in business, to think boldly and achieve their full potential.

Country

Canada

City

Toronto

Industry

Retail

Skill

Cross-functional Alignment, People Development, Strategic Thinking, Collection Strategy, Visual Merchandising, Supplier Negotiation, Pricing Strategy, Brand Implementation, Team Leadership, Team Management, Strategy Execution, Retail Sales, Retail Category Management, Retail Buying, Communication, Personal Branding, Personal Development, Project Management, Forecasting, Pricing

Experience

Vice President, Head of Merchandising

Bed Bath & Beyond Canada

2026-4 - Present · 6 mos

Toronto, ON

Lead the creation and build of the merchandising strategy, curate and establish critical vendor partnerships, and work across all Sleep Country Canada Inc. Brands to deliver a thoughtfully curated assortment for Canadian consumers. Stay tuned!

Vice President - Living Division

Canadian Tire Corporation

2021-5 - 2026-3 · 4 yrs 11 mos

Toronto, ON

• Leed merchandising functions for Canadian Tire’s $3+ billion Living division, including kitchen, pet, indoor décor, home organization, cleaning, consumables, and confectionery businesses. • P&L accountability for market-leading businesses with a margin plan exceeding ~$1 billion and ~$500 million in inventory. • Manage partnerships with key vendors such as Shark Ninja, Dyson, P&G, Nestle, Petco, and Whirlpool. • Spearhead market-disrupting innovations and impactful brand/product launches, including Paderno, VIDA by Paderno, MasterChef, CANVAS, and FRANK. • Oversaw Hudson Bay Stripes 2025 acquisition, including multi-year roadmap, product assortment, and go-to-market strategy.

Associate Vice President - Backyard Living and Seasonal

Canadian Tire Corporation

2019-4 - 2021-5 · 2 yrs 2 mos

Greater Toronto Area, Canada

• Led a $1 billion portfolio to consistent year-over-year financial growth (+48% from 2019–2021) and increased market share (+8bps). • Delivered breakthrough innovations such as NOMA EverTough Christmas Lights, VIDA by Paderno BBQs, and CANVAS SkyLine Gazebo, exceeding forecasts by 2000bps. • Secured partnership with Weber BBQs, achieving 125% of forecast in year one. • Developed a three-year strategic roadmap for product development and productivity, fueling growth in a portfolio with ~90% Owned Brands.

Associate Vice President - Kids Fun

Canadian Tire Corporation

2018-1 - 2019-4 · 1 yr 4 mos

2180 Yonge Street

As the AVP of Kids Fun, Carolyn built the business unit, created the three year strategy and drove the execution of the in-store experiential changes in 65 CTR stores across the country, which delivered significant top-line performance in 2018 and has aggressive roll out plans over the next few years.

Associate Vice President, Store Design and Renewal

Canadian Tire Corporation

2015-6 - 2018-1 · 2 yrs 8 mos

75 Barber Greene Road, Don Mills Ontario M3C 2A2

In this role, Carolyn championed the ongoing renewal of the Canadian Tire retail store environment. Her primary focus was to deliver high impact store design projects, including the overall store environment, fixtures and décor. Canadian Tire has a history of leadership as it relates to store design and concept delivery and Carolyn’s primary responsibility was to shape the vision of the in-store shopping experience for one of Canada’s most iconic and beloved brands.

Senior Category Business Manager, Seasonal Decor and Christmas Trees

Canadian Tire Corporation

2011-4 - 2015-6 · 4 yrs 3 mos

Toronto, Ontario

Managed the most complex business at Canadian tire; highest offshore mix, highest annual sku churn, seasonal, trend driven, complex price points (intense promotional plan) and high cube product (trees) to deliver 1700+ products yearly for Associate Dealers to order in about 25% of the time of a standard line review. Launched the brand CANVAS in the Christmas space in 2014.