Sports retailer Lids has announced the promotion of Britten Maughan to president. 

In his role as a senior vice president, marketing and partnerships, Maughan has overseen all aspects of product, marketing, merchandising, partnerships and distribution for the retailer since joining the company in 2019. Most notably, he implemented an improved business process with the introduction of data analytics to drive merchandising and allocation decision making.  

Maughan ran point on improving product assortment, with inventory levels resulting increased margins, higher in-stocks, additional traffic and record sales results.  

As part of Maughan’s promotion, Ripley will transition to executive chairman of Lids in addition to his active role as a co-founder and partner at Ames Watson. As executive chairman, Ripley will focus on Lids’ continued growth initiatives alongside several of the company’s key partners, with a specific focus on the retailer’s international expansion. Maughan will report directly to Ripley. 

“I am fortunate to be supported in my new role by the very best and brightest,” says Maughan. “My teammates are exceptional, and as a group, we have turned a declining business into a thriving one. Lids’ performance metrics are at all-time highs including traffic and conversion. The vision, capital and resources we receive from our ownership group, Ames Watson, have been a catalyst for our growth. I am excited to leverage my expertise as a retailer and merchant to take Lids to new heights, including signing new partnerships and expanding our footprint both domestically and internationally. Lids is a growth-minded company and with that brings opportunities and challenges. We are ready for them.” 

Prior to joining Lids, Maughan held various roles with Fanzz in his five years with the company, including as vice president, buying and marketing. With Fanzz, Maughan oversaw the success of 125 sports licensed Fanzz retail chains before it was acquired by Ames Watson in 2019. He has also held leadership roles at Wal-Mart as a senior planner and was a buyer at Overstock.com. Maughan received a B.S. in Economics and an MBA from Indiana University. He resides in Zionsville, Indiana with his wife and their four children. 

“We are incredibly proud to announce that Britten Maughan is the president of Lids, effective immediately,” echoed Tom Ripley, chairman, chief executive officer, Lids. “Over the last three years, I have watched Britten’s influence, scope of control and professionalism raise the level of performance of both his team and his peers. Britten is well prepared to lead Lids in its next phase of growth.”