Sears/Kmart makes home design exec changes

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/26/2006 12:21:00 PM

Hoffman Estates, Ill. – At Sears Holdings, the home furnishings design activities of both its Sears and Kmart divisions will be consolidated here by September under a new unit called Home Design to be headed by Bob St. Aubin, who was named vp of home design in March.

The Kmart home furnishings design team has been based in New York for several years, and has been headed by Matthew Morris, divisional vp, home design. It has been based in the lower Manhattan headquarters of Kmart and Sears apparel design teams headed by Lisa Schultz, executive vp, Sears Holdings apparel and design.

The change in the Kmart design activities is part of a move toward centralized operations, and is part of the plan to build a combined team as the home business becomes more design driven, according to St. Aubin.

St. Aubin joined Sears from May Department Stores where he was senior vp, home proprietary brands division. Earlier he had been with Liberty House and Pacific Linens.

Decisions as to the new Kmart home design team lineup will not be determined until August, according to Chris Braithwite, a Sears Holdings spokesperson.