May Co. names corporate sr. vp

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/20/2001 4:33:00 PM

St. Louis — The May Department Stores Company has named Steve Nelson senior vp, stores and visual merchandising, a new position, effective October 1. Until then, Nelson will continue to serve as senior vp, stores for Filene's, May's department store division located in Boston.

Reporting to May's two vice chairmen, Richard Bennet III and William McNamara, Nelson will work with May's store divisions to develop a more product-driven presentation of merchandise in the stores; ensure consistency of compelling selling-floor presentations; strengthen the visual merchandising thrust across all divisions; lead the effort to create a faster and easier shopping experience; and work with May Design and Construction to refine new store and major remodel plans.

In addition, the corporate visual merchandising function, headed by Joseph Consolo, vp, will report to Nelson.

"We are very pleased to announce this promotion," said Bennet. "Steven is a talented executive who brings 30 years of store and merchandise presentation experience to this important new position. His leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we work diligently to improve our merchandising thrusts and presentation techniques."

McNamara added, "Steve will take the lead to ensure that our merchandise presentations are both authoritative and exciting, and that the `big ideas' are given the attention they deserve and are presented with impact."

Nelson began his career at May in 1971, when he joined the Foley's Houston-based division as a sales manager in textiles. He then served in various executive positions at Foley's, the former G. Fox division, and Filene's, where he was named to his current position in 1998.