US specialty retailer of leather outerwear, accessories and apparel Wilsons The Leather Experts Inc. has named Michael Sweeney, managing partner of Goldner Hawn Private Equity, to the position of non-executive chairman of the board. Mike Searles will continue as chief executive officer.

Meanwhile the company has reported a further slip in sales for July to $15.7 million from $16.1 million in the comparable period last year. Year-to-date sales decreased 18.3% to $101.2 million compared with $123.8 million.

Wilsons operates 411 stores located in 45 US states.