Plus-size retailer City Chic has appointed Australian retail executive Eric Morris as an independent non-executive director on its board.
Morris holds more than 35 years of experience across retail, most notably as the founder of The PAS Group in 2005, and was part of the merging of PAS and Brand Collective in 2022. Following that merging, he was appointed CEO and MD of the combined entity, which comprised 26 brands, more than 350 retail stores and annual revenues of approximately $650 million.
Prior to PAS, Morris held key roles across Reebok, Walt Disney and Myer. Up until June this year, Morris was also the chairman of Cue Clothing Co.
He is currently the chairman of eStar Online (NZ) and Litecard, and is an advisory board member to several consumer businesses.
City Chic chairman Michael Kay welcomed Morris to the board, saying he is one of Australia’s most experienced retail executives.
“His more recent experience in digital commerce, customer engagement and retail technology is directly relevant to our strategic priorities,” Kay said. “Eric’s experience brings a fresh perspective and will be invaluable as we continue to build City Chic's leadership position in the curve fashion market."
Morris said his appointment to the City Chic board comes at a pivotal stage in the brand’s evolution. The plus-size retailer reported an 11.4 per cent rise in like-for-like store sales in its Australia and New Zealand market in the first seven weeks of FY27, offsetting ongoing challenges in its United States market.
The rise in comp store sales was offset by an 8 per cent drop in online sales for the first seven weeks, amid a deliberate reduction in promotional activity.
City Chic has projected a return to growth in revenue and margin in the USA in the first half of FY27 – excluding wholesale, which has been a hard-hit channel for the brand in the market. The plus-size retailer also sells online in the North American market.
“City Chic has established a distinctive position in the curve fashion market through its brand, fit expertise and its connection with its customers,” Morris said. “The progress made over recent years has created a strong platform for future growth. I look forward to working with the board and management team as City Chic builds on that position."