Chase Tucker will take on a new leadership role this summer at Shoe Show Inc., the company founded by his grandparents Robert and Carolyn Tucker.
Tucker, representing the third generation of family leadership, will take on the role of senior vice president of merchandising on July 3 — succeeding John Walker upon his retirement. Tucker will help steer merchandising strategy and support ongoing team development. He was most recently men’s buyer for Shoe Dept., although his experience encompasses a wide skill set that also includes retail operation, distribution, sourcing and planning.
Tucker began working at the company as a “secret shopper” at age seven, and also modeled for in-store posters. His first official role was in the summer of 2004, working part-time in the distribution center. He began working at the Shoe Dept. in Concord Mills as a sales associate while attending UNC-Charlotte.
He later joined the sourcing department in 2010, balancing both store and office responsibilities before transitioning to a full-time office role. Tucker remained in sourcing until early 2017, when he became a planner for Shoe Show Ladies, focusing on casuals and sandals. In October 2017, he was promoted to the Shoe Dept. men’s buyer position.
Walker has been with the company for more than 21 years as the Shoe Dept. women’s athletic buyer before he become senior vice president of merchandising in March 2022.
A 33-year veteran of the footwear and apparel industry, he began his career with Belk Store Services in 1989 before transitioning to a Hong Kong-base firm that manufactured and sold footwear. He then joined Genesco-owned Journeys as an athletic buyer and merchant before joining Vans as vice president of merchandising. Walker later joined Shoe Show Inc. in 2005.
Shoe Show Inc. is one of the largest privately-held shoe retailers in the U.S. It operates a number of banners that include Shoe Dept. and Shoe Show.
