Borders Group Inc. (BGP) tapped retail veteran Michael Edwards to serve as its chief merchandising officer, just eight months after company veteran Anne Kubek took on a similar role at the company.

The No. 2 brick-and-mortar bookseller, since installing a new chairman early this year, has been shaking up management and moving to rejuvenate its operations with better inventory management. Last month, the company posted a wider-than-expected second-quarter loss, a sign of the difficulties booksellers face in one of the worst consumer-spending environments in recent years.

Kubek who had served as executive vice president since January, first joined Borders in 1990 and joined its corporate office six years later. A spokeswoman declined to say why Kubek, 43 years old, departed.

Edwards, 49 years old, will be responsible to executing marketing and merchandising strategies to drive sales and profit as Borders works to re-engage with its customers. It is a key role for many retailers - as the merchandising chief steers a large staff and maintains relationships with vendors and suppliers.

Edwards, who most recently served as president and chief executive of Oregon-based leather handbags and accessories wholesaler Ellington Leather, also has served in executive roles for lucy Activewear and Jo-Ann Stores Inc. (JAS). He also held merchandising positions at Target Corp. (TGT) and the May Department Store Co., which merged with Macy's Inc. (M) in 2005.

"We look forward to Mike joining the company to focus with urgency on driving business results and delivering an outstanding experience for our customers," said Chief Executive Ron Marshall.

Shares were up 1.2% to $3.30 in recent trading, but the stock is down 55% over the past year.

   -By John Kell, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2480; john.kell@dowjones.com