Skip to main content
BoF Logo

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

The Business of Fashion
Retail

Harvey Nichols Hires Net-a-Porter Veteran Katie Benson Amid Revamp

Benson will join the department store chain as chief merchant as part of a wider push to revitalise the business under new CEO Julia Goddard.
Harvey Nichols has hired Net-a-Porter veteran Katie Benson as chief merchant.
Harvey Nichols has hired Net-a-Porter veteran Katie Benson as chief merchant. (Getty Images)
By

Harvey Nichols has hired Net-a-Porter veteran Katie Benson as chief merchant. The appointment is part of a wider business revamp under CEO Julia Goddard, who started in June, soon after Hong Kong-based owner Dickson Poon agreed to pour additional funding into the department store chain.

Last month, Kate Phelan joined Harvey Nichols as creative director, and a major marketing push is set to begin in February, to be followed by upgrades to the company’s London flagship, though the revamp is likely to face headwinds amid a broader downturn in demand for luxury goods.

Learn more:

Harvey Nichols Appoints New CEO

Harvey Nichols has named Julia Goddard chief executive following the departure of Manju Malhotra — who held the post for 25 years — in late 2023.

About the author
Vikram Alexei Kansara
Vikram Alexei Kansara

Vikram Alexei Kansara is Editorial Director at The Business of Fashion. He is based in London and oversees BoF’s luxury, fashion week, art, sustainability, global markets and opinion verticals.

In This Article
Topics
Organisations
Tags

© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions

More from Retail
Analysis and advice from the front lines of the retail transformation.

The New Reality of Shipping to Saks

While $1.75 billion in court-approved funding has brought labels back to the fold, the real test for vendors will come when that temporary safety net vanishes later this year.

The Step-by-Step Guide to Brand Elevation | Case Study

A growing number of mass and premium brands are pushing upmarket with a more luxe look, better materials and, often, higher prices. This case study unpacks how these labels are navigating the tricky challenge of elevating a brand.

view more
Latest News & Analysis
Unrivalled, world class journalism across fashion, luxury and beauty industries.

Can Big Luxury Find Its New Look?

Sex sells — if anyone can figure out what sexy means in 2026. Robert Williams tracks the search for a new silhouette at Kering’s Gucci, LVMH’s Dior and more.

Estée Lauder’s Surprise Acquisition, Explained

The American cosmetic giant’s buyout of Ayurvedic beauty line Forest Essentials came as a surprise. By picking an under-the-radar brand it knows well, the company can show that it’s still in the M&A game without needing to outbid rivals.

VIEW MORE

The Business of Fashion

Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
CONNECT WITH US ON
© 2026 The Business of Fashion. All rights reserved. For more information read our Terms & Conditions, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy and Accessibility Statement.