Retail briefs

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/17/2003 12:00:00 AM

Kmart laying off, restructuring senior management team

Kmart began laying off senior management last week, in accordance with its previously announced intention to whittle the corporate staff in line with its store base reduction of 316 units.

One confirmed layoff was Steve Feuling, whose title of senior vp, marketing, has been eliminated. Barbara Firment, senior vp of sales, advertising and in-store presentation, will handle Feuling's responsibilities until further notice.

"We're evaluating the senior management team first so we can put a new one together in time for the bankruptcy exit," said Jack Ferry, spokesperson. He declined to say how many were let go on Monday, but said that by the end of the month the corporate staff will be reduced by about 25 to 30 percent. As of Jan. 1, the corporate staff numbered 2,900 people.

New prototype stores in order for ShopKo and Pamida

New prototype stores for both the ShopKo and Pamida divisions at ShopKo Stores are in the works. No details of the ShopKo prototype were available during the retailer's fourth quarter conference call last week. However, ShopKo said that the first store will be a renovated existing unit in a core market. By early summer, 11 Pamida stores are slated to be modified and will include a reduction in soft lines, while the amount of consumables and convenience items will increase.

Morel takes position with Saks Department Store Group

Bruce Morel, currently dvp, dmm, soft home, Proffitt's/ McRae's, Knoxville, TN, has accepted a position within Saks Inc. at the Saks Department Store Group. He will become vp, product development, textiles and housewares, for the entire SDSG chain, reporting to Howard Winkler, senior vp. Morel will transition to his new job, as well as relocate to the firm's headquarters in Birmingham, AL, after a replacement is found for his current position, which he hoped would be within the month.

Iodice exits Home Shopping Network

Anita Iodice has left as vp of home fashions for Home Shopping Network. Prior to joining the television and Internet retailer in December 2001, she was president of The Company Store division of Hanover Direct before that position was eliminated as part of a realignment plan. HSN said it plans to replace her soon.

Spiegel searching for alternative financing

Spiegel warned it may file for Chapter 11 in the near future if it is unable to find alternative financing. First Consumers National Bank, its special-purpose bank subsidiary, stopped reimbursing Eddie Bauer, Spiegel catalog and Newport News for charges made on private-label cards issued by FCNB, due to Spiegel's falling short of minimum performance requirements.