Stepping Aside

Limited Brands (Columbus) has announced that Beth Pritchard, president and ceo of Bath & Body Works, is retiring. Ken Stevens, current executive vp and coo of the body care and at-home spa products retailer, will succeed Pritchard as president.

“Bath & Body Works has been a huge part of my life for nearly 12 years now and I feel really good about what we have accomplished in that time,” said Pritchard. “The business is at a point in its evolution where I am comfortable stepping aside to pursue some of my other interests.”

Pritchard joined the specialty retailer in 1991, turning it into a strong arm of Limited Brands with 1600 stores and $2 billion in annual sales. In 1999, she launched White Barn Candle Co., which consists of more than 100 stores nationwide.

“Beth has been a part of the Limited Brands family for more than a decade, and we certainly will miss her contributions and leadership,” said Leslie Wexner, chairman and ceo of Limited Brands, “but we respect her decision to slow down after 12 years of high-speed running.”

Stevens joined Bath & Body Works in February 2002. Prior to that, he served as president and coo of inChord Communications and chairman and ceo of Bank One Retail Group.