Reitmans (Canada) Limited has announced the upcoming departure of Chief Operating Officer Jackie Tardif, marking the end of an era for one of the country’s most enduring fashion retail executives. After more than three decades of service, Tardif will officially leave the company on December 1, 2025, following the elimination of the COO role as part of a broader leadership restructuring.
The Montreal-based retailer, known for its Reitmans, Penningtons, and RW&CO. banners, said the move aligns with its evolving strategic direction as it approaches its centennial in 2026.
“Throughout her distinguished career at RCL, Jackie played a pivotal role in driving the achievement of the Company’s key strategic objectives and initiatives. It is difficult to put into words the extent of her contributions to our success,” said Andrea Limbardi, President and Chief Executive Officer of Reitmans. “She shaped the direction of our brands with remarkable insight and skill, consistently demonstrating unwavering commitment, enthusiasm, and dedication to our collective mission.”
Limbardi, who joined Reitmans in 2023 as the first non-family CEO in the company’s history, emphasized Tardif’s leadership as foundational to the company’s transformation journey.
A Legacy of Leadership and Transformation
Reitmans COO Jackie Tardif leaves behind a legacy that spans more than 30 years of retail leadership, cultural transformation, and brand innovation. Joining the company in 1995, she rose through roles in merchandising and operations before taking on senior executive positions, including President of the Reitmans banner and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer.
During her tenure as President of the Reitmans brand, Tardif spearheaded initiatives that modernized the company’s identity and expanded its commitment to inclusivity. She guided a comprehensive brand repositioning, emphasizing customer experience, inclusive sizing, and a renewed store design aesthetic that resonated with contemporary Canadian shoppers.
As COO, appointed in early 2024, she oversaw merchandising, marketing, planning, and omnichannel operations. Her role bridged the company’s physical and digital strategies, advancing operational efficiency across all three banners.
“It has been both an honour and a privilege to dedicate more than thirty years of my career to RCL, helping to shape RCL’s strategic vision and its storied brands in achieving their ambitious goals and objectives,” said Tardif. “Throughout my tenure, I have had the pleasure of collaborating with an outstanding team of board members, executives, and employees whose invaluable support and insight have made my journey so rewarding.”
Tardif’s leadership style, characterized by collaboration and mentorship, helped nurture internal talent and reinforced Reitmans’ reputation as a company that values women in leadership.
Reitmans’ Path to Renewal
Founded in 1926 by Herman and Sarah Reitman, Reitmans (Canada) Limited has been a cornerstone of Canadian fashion retail for nearly a century. With headquarters in Montreal and approximately 6,800 employees nationwide, the company operates 390 stores across the country: 220 Reitmans, 86 Penningtons, and 84 RW&CO.
Following a major restructuring process under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in 2020, which saw the closure of its Addition Elle and Thyme Maternity brands, Reitmans successfully emerged from creditor protection in 2022. The company has since focused on operational resilience, brand reinvention, and profitability.Under the leadership of CEO Andrea Limbardi and Executive Chairman Stephen F. Reitman, the company continues to modernize its retail operations while reinforcing its position as a leading Canadian apparel retailer.
For fiscal 2025, Reitmans reported annual revenues of approximately $773.8 million, with net earnings of $12.1 million. Its growth strategy focuses on refining the customer experience, investing in e-commerce, and strengthening its digital integration.
