Retail Channels
10 May
Etsy adds wedding registry for couples looking to personalize gifts
The marketplace has seen an 872% increase in searches for handmade gifts.

Photo by Jeremy Wong Weddings on Unsplash
The marketplace has seen an 872% increase in searches for handmade gifts.
Forget the blender. Couples can now signal they want one-of-a-kind wedding gifts.
The marketplace on Wednesday launched Etsy Registry, which allows couples to register for personalized or handmade wedding gifts.
Through the feature, couples can create and share their wedding registries. True to Etsy’s penchant for unique items, couples can be very specific in their requests. They can add personalization to the items, such as names and colors.
“In addition to handmade and vintage, couples can also register for personalized items and specify the exact customization for their guests, making Etsy a one-stop-shop for gifts, wedding decor, and even bridal party items – all while supporting small businesses,” Etsy wrote in a blog post.
Etsy is already a destination for wedding gifts, so the registry feature was a natural extension of a behavior that is already being observed on the marketplace. Etsy said it was further fueled to create the new feature when it noted an 872% increase in searches for handmade gifts.
The registry is part of a wider effort to underscore that Etsy has specific categories, so that consumers think of the marketplace for a certain item when they are shopping. While there’s benefit to having a wide assortment, the marketplace wants to be thought of in “top of mind consideration” in certain shopping journeys.
“The more specific we can be, I think there's a tremendous opportunity because we know when they do come to Etsy for home furnishings, when they do come to Etsy for style, when they do come to Etsy for gifts, when they do come to Etsy for pets and babies and all weddings and all of the other things, there's a tremendous experience,” CEO Josh Silverman told analysts.
Intriguingly, the feature arrives at a time when another famed registry appears to be on the brink of extinction. Bed Bath & Beyond’s popular registry now has an uncertain future after the retailer filed for bankruptcy. Analysts have said Bed Bath’s failed adoption of ecommerce helped lead to its decline. In fact, the wedding registry happened to be one of the few examples of Bed Bath recognizing the digital shift.
As Gavin/Solmonese Founder Ted Gavin put it to The Current, “Nobody is going to buy online at Bed Bath & Beyond unless it’s a bridal registry.”
With Bed Bath teetering, Etsy no doubt stands to pick up some of its market share.
On the Move has the latest hiring update from The Vitamin Shoppe and At Home.
Heidi O’Neill has a new role at Nike. (Courtesy photo)
This week, Unilever, Nike and BigCommerce are seeing major transitions in the executive ranks. Meanwhile, The Vitamin Shoppe named a permanent CEO, and At Home brought on a longtime Walmart executive as president.
Conny Braams. (Courtesy photo)
Consumer goods giant Unilever announced key changes in top leadership roles. These include:
Graeme Pitkethly will retire as chief financial officer, effective at the end of May 2024. The board is set to launch a formal search for his successor. Pitkethly has been with Unilever for 21 years.
Conny Braams, who serves as chief digital and commercial officer, will leave the company, effective August 2023. Braams previously held senior management roles including Executive Vice President (EVP) of Middle Europe; and EVP Foodsolutions Asia, Africa and Middle East.
Craig Williams. (Courtesy photo)
Nike, Inc. announced several key leadership changes focused on consumer-led growth and marketplace. They are as follows:
Heidi O’Neill who is currently president of consumer and marketplace, will become president of consumer, product and brand.
Craig Williams, who is currently president of the Jordan Brand, will become president of geographies and marketplace at Nike, Inc.
Matthew Friend, EVP and Chief Financial Officer at NIKE, Inc., will expand responsibilities to include procurement, global places and services and demand and supply management.
Jared Carver will serve as CEO of Converse. Over the last four years, he served as VP/GM of North America for Converse.
Scott Uzzell, the previous CEO of Converse, transitioned to a new role as VP/GM, North America for Nike, Inc.
“These shifts will allow us to streamline our focus across product, brand storytelling and marketplace, mining deep consumer insights to deliver breakthrough innovation and engagement, while building long-term growth and profitability,” said Nike CEO John Donahoe, in a statement.
Lee Wright. (Courtesy photo)
Lee A. Wright was named CEO of The Vitamin Shoppe on a permanent basis, after serving as interim CEO since January 2023. Wright previously served as Chief Commercial Officer of Franchise Group and in executive roles at Conn’s.
Muriel Gonzalez was promoted to president of the retailer, after serving as EVP and chief merchandising and marketing officer of The Vitamin Shoppe since August 2020.
BigCommerce announced the following leadership roles:
Daniel Lentz was promoted to chief financial officer of BigCommerce, effective July 1. He previously served as SVP of finance and investor relations. Lentz will succeed CFO Robert Alvarez, who is retiring after a 12-year stint as CFO.
Chuck Cassidy was promoted to general counsel, effective June 2. Cassidy previously served as VP and associate general counsel. He will succeed Jeff Mengoli, who is retiring.
Hubert Ban was named chief accounting officer. He will replace Vice President of Accounting and Principal Accounting Officer Thomas Aylor, who departed the ecommerce platform on May 19.
Jeff Evans. (Courtesy photo)
Jeff Evans was named president and chief merchandising officer of At Home, the home goods retailer.
Evans previously served as EVP of entertainment, toys and seasonal at Walmart, managing the largest general merchandise business for the retailer. He rose to the position after serving in executive roles at Walmart US and Sam’s Club.