XSet Names Steve Birkhold Chief Merchandising and Licensing Officer – WWD

Way of life gaming business XSet is ramping up its vogue division.

The Boston-dependent corporation has named Steve Birkhold the new main merchandising and licensing officer, in which he will aid XSet’s items, vogue and structure groups. In this function, he succeeds XSet co-founder Wil Eddins, who has been named main innovative officer and will oversee the company’s artistic system.

Birkhold has far more than 30 several years of world manner practical experience and served at a selection of makes these as Diesel, Lacoste and Bebe as very well as at VF Corp., the place he was involved with Lee Denims, Nautica Jeans and Earl Denims. The government claimed he and XSet co-founder Greg Selkoe knew each individual other for some time and observed an chance in XSet. “I seriously arrived promptly to the conclusion that this firm will be effective and they’re enjoying in a space that has a strong relationship to their main,” he said.

Birkhold informed WWD that he will assistance build a multichannel system for XSet’s principles and seasonal merchandise. “The group has done an unbelievable position with layout and obtaining to market place,” he reported. “We have to scale up and set apparel organization disciplines [in place].”

He extra about bringing his expertise to the business: “I know that from my historic background, it’s a new horizon. There are providers we want to collaborate with, and suppliers. This will be a segment of the business that is coming up quite rapidly. Wil and Greg articulated the targeted drops and items we’re executing close to pop-ups. My position is to weave with each other an all-encompassing merchandising featuring.”

Eddins included that the company hopes to enter big-box stores, as properly as streetwear boutiques. The trio also see an chance in the women’s segment, stating that “over 40 p.c of informal gamers are gals,” Birkhold stated, but the items aren’t tailored for them. “The engagement that this purchaser has with makes and the gaming category is big,” he added.

Selkoe did not disclose financial details, but stated goods is a significant aspect of the corporation, in addition to gaming and content material. The organization lately launched a gaming and occasions residency at…