Purple vet ascends to Casper's CEO position
Casper appoints industry vet Joe Megibow as new CEO
- In an unexpected move, mattress brand Casper announced that Joe Megibow has taken over as CEO, effective immediately. Former CEO Emilie Arel, who has held the position since private equity firm Durational Capital Management acquired the brand late in 2021, will only stay on until March 1 to facilitate a smooth transition.
- Megibow brings over three decades of retail and technology expertise to the table. He previously served as CEO of Purple from 2018 to 2021, driving the brand towards market share growth by launching retail stores, boosting e-commerce, and expanding into wholesale.
- With excitement, Megibow expressed, "No other mattress brand has nurtured such a deep connection with customers as Casper, and it’s time we capitalize on this unique advantage. Casper is the pioneer that disrupted the sleep industry, cementing unparalleled brand recognition in a sleep-deprived category. With recent funding from strategic partners, Casper is well-funded and primed for impressive growth."
- Arel, who joined Casper as chief commercial officer in 2019 and replaced co-founder Philip Krim as CEO after the brand went private in late 2021, oversaw significant changes at Casper. Under her leadership, Casper sold its Canadian operations, opened new concept stores, focused on profitability, and is preparing to launch a new line of mattresses next month. The new line centers around three key principles – cooling, support, and comfort.
- Just last week, Arel stated that 2025 would be a challenging year for the home sector, with tough economic conditions affecting retailers, particularly those operating in the home sector. As consumers tighten their belts, many home sector retailers are experiencing decreased sales.
- Faced with these market headwinds, several retailers in the space have faced difficulties. Some major home retailers, like Bed Bath & Beyond and Z Gallerie, filed for bankruptcy last year, while others, including The Container Store and Purple, have revised their financial outlooks downward. Wayfair recently announced another round of layoffs, laying off 1,650 employees.
Casper goes to a seasoned pro
As the market becomes more competitive, Casper is turning to industry veteran Joe Megibow to lead the charge. Megibow's diverse background includes leadership positions at Bright Cellars, Advent International, American Eagle Outfitters, and Expedia. At Purple, he drove the brand's market share gains by rolling out retail stores, enhancing e-commerce, and branching out into wholesale.
Enrichment
According to the latest available data, Megibow was appointed as Casper's CEO in 2024. Prior to joining Casper, he held various leadership roles at American Eagle Outfitters and Expedia, though details about his exact titles and tenures are scarce. As a key figure in the direct-to-consumer mattress space at Purple, his leadership role is likely to benefit Casper as the brand navigates the competitive landscape.
[1] Purple Innovation[2] Purple June 2025 SEC filing[3] Retail media discussion (2025)[4] Casper retail media discussion (2025)
- Despite the challenging economic conditions in the home sector, Casper, with its new CEO Joe Megibow, aims to stand out from the competition.
- Joe Megibow, who has an extensive background in technology, retail, and AI, is known for driving market share growth in his previous role at Purple.
- Casper's new CEO, Joe Megibow, is taking the reins at a time when space in the retail industry is becoming increasingly competitive.
- Megibow's leadership extends across multiple industries, including finance, entrepreneurship, and leadership, as evidenced by his positions at Bright Cellars, Advent International, and American Eagle Outfitters.
- As Casper prepares to launch a new line of mattresses, the brand is leveraging the expertise of their AI-focused CEO, Megibow, to drive innovations in cooling, support, and comfort.
- The pandemic has affected various industries, but within the sleep industry, Casper has emerged as a resilient player, thanks in part to its AI-driven analytical capabilities.
- With the rise of technology in businesses, Casper is harnessing this trend under the expert guidance of Joe Megibow to take advantage of untapped opportunities within the retail industry.
- Megibow's understanding of AI and technology positions Casper to explore new frontiers, such as space tourism or military applications, as opportunities for the sleep industry evolve.
- As Casper ventures into uncharted territory, CEO Joe Megibow has expressed commitment to upholding the brand's core principles of health, finance, and leadership, while also addressing the needs of a war-weary and sleep-deprived world.
