VANCOUVER, British Columbia— Online optical retailer, Coastal Contacts Inc. (TSX: COA) (Stockholm: COA) has appointed Neel Grover to its board of directors. Grover served as the chief executive officer and president of Rakuten Buy.com (formerly Buy.com) from May 2006 until September 2012 after having served as president and chief operating officer from September 2003. Buy.com was acquired by Rakuten Inc. in May 2010. Grover remains a board director of Rakuten Buy.com and Rakuten U.S.A.

“We are delighted to have a seasoned e-commerce and social commerce leader with Neel’s deep U.S. and international experience join Coastal’s board at this important time in the company’s development,” said Roger Hardy, Coastal’s founder and chief executive officer. “His knowledge developing the U.S. market for Rakuten Buy.com will be invaluable as Coastal focuses on accelerating its rapidly growing eyewear business in this market.”

In other news from Coastal, Tushar Shah, managing partner of Kinderhook, LP, has resigned his position on the board. Founded in 2000, Coastal Contacts services customers in more than 150 countries through its family of websites, including Coastal.com, ClearlyContacts.ca, Lensway.com, Lensway.co.uk, Lensway.se, ClearlyContacts.com.au, ClearlyContacts.co.nz, Contactsan.com, Coastallens.com and its newest site, Lensway.com.br.