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Williams-Sonoma, Inc. (WSM) is an omni-channel specialty retailer focused on high-quality, sustainable products for the home. The company operates a portfolio of nine brands marketed through e-commerce websites, direct-mail catalogs, and retail stores. WSM sells a wide range of home furnishings, kitchenware, bedding, lighting, rugs, and decorative accessories, along with seasonal items and custom-made furniture.
- Pottery Barn - Offers furniture, home decor, and accessories designed to create stylish and comfortable living spaces.
- West Elm - Provides modern furniture and home decor with an emphasis on sustainability and contemporary design.
- Williams Sonoma - Specializes in kitchen and dining products, including cookware, bakeware, and gourmet food items.
- Pottery Barn Kids & Teen - Features furniture, bedding, and decor tailored for children and teenagers, focusing on functionality and style.
- Other Brands:
- Rejuvenation - Focuses on lighting, hardware, and furniture with a vintage-inspired aesthetic.
- Mark and Graham - Offers personalized gifts and accessories.
- GreenRow - Provides sustainable and eco-friendly home products.
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laura Alber ExecutiveBoard | Chief Executive Officer | Director, Salesforce.com, Inc. ; Trustee, University of Pennsylvania Board of Trustees | Laura Alber is the Chief Executive Officer of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since 2010 and has been instrumental in driving the company’s global expansion and ESG initiatives. She has also served as President since 2006, leading strategic operations and growth at WSM. | View Report → |
David King Executive | Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary | David King has served as the Executive Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since 2017, after previously holding roles such as Senior Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary from 2011 to 2017. | ||
Jeff Howie Executive | Chief Financial Officer (CFO) | Jeff Howie is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since September 14, 2022. He has over 20 years of leadership experience at WSM, having served in various executive roles including Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer. | ||
Karalyn Smith Executive | Executive Vice President, Chief Talent Officer | Karalyn Smith has served as the Executive Vice President, Chief Talent Officer at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since 2019, focusing on talent management and HR strategy. Previously, she held roles as Chief People Officer (2019) and Senior Vice President, Human Resources (2016–2019) at Sephora. | ||
Andrew Campion Board | Independent Director | Chairman at Unrivaled Sports; Director at Starbucks Corporation; Board Member for Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games; Board Member at The Springhill Company; Board Advisor and Director of the Sports Leadership and Management Program at UCLA Anderson School of Management | Andrew Campion is an Independent Director at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since May 29, 2024. He has a longstanding career in leadership roles at companies such as Nike and Disney, and he currently holds multiple external board positions. | |
Anne Finucane Board | Independent Director | Senior Advisor, TPG Climate Rise Fund; Director, CVS Health Corporation; Board Chair, Rubicon Carbon Services, LLC; Director, Water.org; Director, Mass General Brigham; Member, Council on Foreign Relations | Anne Finucane has served as an Independent Director at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since 2021 and chairs the Nominations, Corporate Governance, and Social Responsibility Committee. She brings extensive expertise from her previous senior roles at Bank of America and her active board memberships in multiple organizations. | |
Arianna Huffington Board | Director on the Board of Directors | CEO of Thrive Global; Founder of The Huffington Post | Arianna Huffington is a renowned business leader, founder of The Huffington Post and the CEO of Thrive Global since 2016, and has authored several international bestsellers. She was appointed as a Director on the Board of Directors at WSM on August 1, 2024. | |
Esi Eggleston Bracey Board | Independent Director | Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Unilever; Director, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation | Esi Eggleston Bracey is a seasoned executive with extensive experience in consumer goods, marketing, and brand building, currently serving as the Independent Director at Williams-Sonoma, Inc. since 2021. She also holds active external roles including Chief Growth and Marketing Officer at Unilever since 2024 and Director at Six Flags Entertainment Corporation since 2020. | |
Frits van Paasschen Board | Independent Director | Lead Independent Director, Sonder Holdings Inc. (since 2019); Director, Amadeus IT Group SA (since 2023); Director, DSM / DSM-Firmenich (since 2017); Director, JCrew Group, Inc. (since 2020); Director, CitizenM Hotels (since 2017) | Frits van Paasschen is an experienced leader in retail and hospitality, having served as CEO at Starwood Hotels and Resorts from 2007 to 2015 and at Coors Brewing Company from 2005 to 2007. He currently serves as an Independent Director at WSM since 2017 while also chairing the Audit and Finance Committee. | |
Scott Dahnke Board | Chairman of the Board of Directors | Scott Dahnke has served as Chairman of the Board at WSM since 2019, leveraging extensive experience from his previous executive roles at infoGROUP Inc. and leadership positions in private equity and strategic consulting. | ||
William Ready Board | Independent Director | CEO and Director, Pinterest, Inc.; Director, Automatic Data Processing, Inc. | William Ready has been serving as an Independent Director at WSM since 2020 and contributes expertise in digital commerce, cybersecurity, and technology. Previously, he has held leadership positions such as CEO and Director of Pinterest, Inc. since 2022 and has served as a Director for Automatic Data Processing, Inc. since 2016. |
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Despite reducing promotional activity which has improved margins, comp sales remain negative; how confident are you that the shift to full-price selling won't further pressure sales, and what are the potential risks if consumers don't respond as expected to this strategy?
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With furniture sales still relatively weak despite slight improvements, what specific strategies are you implementing to drive a meaningful recovery in your furniture category, and how sustainable is the positive response to new product introductions you've mentioned?
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Considering the uncertainty around potential tariff increases and your current 25% sourcing exposure to China, can you elaborate on your mitigation plans and how these tariffs might impact your supply chain costs and overall margins in the near term?
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Your operating margin in Q3 exceeded expectations due to strong merchandise margins and supply chain efficiencies, yet you're guiding Q4 margins to be in line with prior years; what factors are limiting margin expansion in the upcoming quarter, and how should we think about margin trends going forward?
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While your contract B2B business grew 17%, the trade segment only grew 4%; what challenges are you facing in the trade segment, and what initiatives are in place to accelerate growth across all areas of your B2B business?
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for WSM.
- Q4 2025 highlights: The company delivered a positive 3.1% comp, an operating margin of 21.5%, and EPS of $3.28, driven by strong holiday performance and improved trends across both retail and online channels.
- Full-year FY '24 performance: Net revenues reached $7.7 billion with a record operating margin of 17.9% (excluding certain adjustments) and EPS of $8.50, underpinned by efficient cost control and supply chain management.
- FY '25 outlook: Guidance includes net revenue comps in the range of flat to +3%, operating margins between 17.4% and 17.8% (after accounting for tariff impacts), increased capital expenditure plans of $275–$300 million, and a 16% increase in quarterly dividends alongside continued share repurchases.
- Williams-Sonoma reported strong revenue of $7.7B with brand contributions from Pottery Barn, West Elm, and others, underscoring its leadership in the specialty home furnishings space.
- The company emphasized a strategic focus on organic growth through core brand initiatives and emerging brands such as Rejuvenation, along with expanding its business-to-business channel.
- Management highlighted operational discipline with an expected operating margin in the range of 17.4%–17.8% for FY25 and a continued track record of profitable growth.
- Q4 Highlights: Comparable brand revenue rose by 3.1%, with a record operating margin of 21.5% and diluted EPS of $3.28.
- Fiscal Year Overview: FY 2024 delivered a record annual operating margin of 17.9% and EPS of $8.50, despite a 1.6% decline in comparable brand revenue.
- Dividend Increase: The Board authorized a 16% increase in the quarterly dividend to $0.66 per share.