# Eric Hunter

> Eric Hunter is the Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of World Market (Cost Plus World Market), the specialty retail chain known for globally sourced furniture, home decor, artisanal foods, and international gifts. Based in Alameda, California, Hunter joined World Market in May 2021 as Chief Commercial Officer, was elevated to President in June 2022, and became CEO in July 2023. He brings deep retail marketing expertise from executive roles at Pier 1 Imports, JCPenney, Kellwood Company, and Ascena Retail Group's plus-size division (Lane Bryant, Cacique, Catherines). Under his leadership, World Market has pursued digital transformation, flexible payment solutions, and continued its mission of delivering unique, globally inspired products across nearly 250 stores and online.

- **Role:** Chief Executive Officer and Board Member at World Market
- **Organizations:** World Market (Cost Plus World Market), KT Tape
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** Master of Science in Business, University of Oxford, Bachelor's degree in Marketing and International Business, Northeastern University
- **Known for:** Led World Market through digital transformation and expanded payment flexibility via Affirm partnership, Progressed from Chief Commercial Officer to President to CEO at World Market within two years, Led Ascena Retail Group's plus-size division (Lane Bryant, Cacique, Catherines) as President

## Career timeline

- **1991-1995** — Attended Northeastern University, studied Marketing and International Business
- **1995-1997** — Pursued Master of Science in Business at the University of Oxford
- **Early career** — Experience at PMK/HBH/Momentum Worldwide and Creative Artists Agency
- **2009-2012** — Group President and Chief Marketing Officer at Kellwood Company (Sun Capital Partners portfolio company)
- **2012-2013** — Senior Vice President of Marketing (Acting CMO) at JCPenney, overseeing strategy, research, creative, media, CRM, and digital
- **2013-2018** — Executive Vice President of Marketing at Pier 1 Imports
- **2018-2020** — President of Lane Bryant, Cacique, and Catherines at Ascena Retail Group's plus-size division
- **February 2021** — Joined the Board of Directors of KT Tape
- **May 2021** — Joined World Market as Chief Commercial Officer
- **June 2022** — Promoted to President at World Market
- **July 2023** — Elevated to Chief Executive Officer at World Market
- **May 2025** — Announced World Market's partnership with Affirm for flexible payment options across ~250 stores and online

## Achievements

- Led World Market through digital transformation and expanded payment flexibility via Affirm partnership
- Progressed from Chief Commercial Officer to President to CEO at World Market within two years
- Led Ascena Retail Group's plus-size division (Lane Bryant, Cacique, Catherines) as President
- Served as Acting CMO at JCPenney during a critical strategic period
- Built marketing leadership career spanning specialty retail, fashion, and consumer brands
- Board member at KT Tape, diversifying executive influence beyond retail
- Steering World Market's $858M annual revenue operation with ~4,100 employees

## Latest updates

- **2025-05** — World Market announced a partnership with Affirm to offer buy-now-pay-later options with up to 36 months and rates as low as 0% APR at nearly 250 stores and online.
- **2023-07** — Eric Hunter was elevated from President to Chief Executive Officer at World Market.

## Links

- Website: https://worldmarket.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ewhunter
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/worldmarket
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/worldmarket

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/eric-hunter
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-05-30