Kiabi: Jean-Christophe Garbino leaving the company

By

Jean-Paul Leroy

Published
Nov 6, 2014

After 22 years at Kiabi with 7 as its managing director, Jean Christophe Garbino is leaving the troubled Mulliez brand for South Africa and the position of CEO at Truworths International. Truworths, a specialist in textile distribution following a similar concept to Kiabi, has nearly 600 points of sale with revenue amounting to 11.6 billion rands (650.5 million pounds).

Kiabi released a statement on this departure following the announcement made by the South African group, which is listed on the stock market. Nevertheless, the northern brand did specify: "The name of Jean-Christophe Garbino's successor will be communicated shortly."
 
Having started at Kiabi in 1992 as a department manager at the Bordeaux-Lac store, Jean-Christophe Garbino was at the helm of Kiabi Spain until 2007. He is the one responsible for the group's expansion there.

Named Managing Director of Kiabi in 2007, he led the expansion plan in Europe. He drove the climb in fashion, the new cross-channel concept and strong international development.

Today, Kiabi has nearly 450 stores including 354 in France. It is present in nine countries (France, Spain, Italy, Portugal, Russia, Belgium, Netherlands, Morocco and Malta… But not in South Africa!). Its total revenue in 2013 was 1.1 billion pounds (1.7 billion US dollars), with a 5.2% growth, and the expected increase in 2014 is 10%.