Zale CFO Departs

Zale Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer Rodney Carter has left his post effective immediately, the jewelry retailer announced on Tuesday. Cindy Gordon has assumed the role of interim chief financial officer while Zale searches for a replacement.

The company did not give a reason for Carter's departure.

Gordon has served as senior vice president since February 2003. She began her career at Zale in October 1994, and has held various management positions including vice president of corporate planning and senior director of investor relations.

Zale suffered from a sharp decline in sales during the holiday season, posting a 19.6 percent decrease in comparable store sales for November and December. Total revenues for the two-month period were $582 million compared to $723 million last year, a decrease of 19.5 percent.