Jo-Ann Stores promotes its chief operating officer to president

Fabric and craft specialty retailer Jo-Ann Stores Inc. has named its chief operating officer, Travis Smith, the company’s new president.

Smith will remain chief operating officer and continue to oversee marketing, merchandising and inventory operations for the retailer, which sells through stores and through Joann.com. He will also supervise the company’s information technology. Joann.com is No. 256 in the Internet Retailer Top 500 Guide (a PDF version of the company’s financial and operating profile can be ordered by clicking on its name).

“The promotion of Travis acknowledges the outstanding business results our company has achieved under his inspired leadership,” said CEO Darrell Webb. Webb will remain CEO and chairman of the board of directors at Jo-Ann.

Smith, who was named chief operating officer last February, was previously Jo-Ann’s executive vice president of merchandising and marketing.