New York-based luxury footwear and leather goods retailer Coach has appointed Thibault Villet president, Greater China, effective August. Mr Villet will be based in Hong Kong and will be responsible for the strategic leadership and operating results of Coach, Greater China, including mainland China, Hong Kong/Macau and Taiwan, reporting directly to president, Coach International, Ian Bickley,.

He joins the company from L'Oreal, where he most recently held the position of vice president, Luxury Products division in Japan.

The company has been accelerating store openings in Asian markets over the last few years, and the company now has 19 stores in Taiwan, 12 in Hong Kong and 11 on the mainland, including four in Shanghai, four in Beijing, and one each in Hangzhou, Shenzhen and Xian. A twelfth location will open in Chengdu later this month.