Saks looks to bolster home dept.

By Andrea Lillo -- Home Textiles Today, 4/8/2002 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises is looking to strengthen its home department with the addition of Corky Tyler as vp, creative director, home, a new position, as of April 22.

Reporting to Wayne Meichner, executive vp, merchandising, Tyler will be responsible for identifying themes and trends and working in tandem with the corporate merchants to bring those ideas into the store. She will also work with Saks' visual merchandising team and its in-house creative department to communicate these themes to customers. Tyler will also serve as the spokesperson for the home area.

The Saks Fifth Avenue flagship store more than quadrupled its home department last fall, expanding it to 6,200 square feet, and deepened its assortment of bedding, throws and cushions, as well as adding new hard categories.

Tyler's retail background includes various positions with May Company, and a stint as vp, dmm with Bergdorf Goodman, where she was instrumental in creating its home store.

Tyler was most recently executive vp, gmm of Takashimaya, which she joined in 1992.

Laura Belvedere, vp and dmm, home, gifts and kids, continues to oversee the buyers for home and to manage the day-to-day operations of the department. She will also continue to report to Meichner.

Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises includes 61 Saks Avenue stores, 52 off 5th outlets, and Saks Direct, as well as the saks.com website.