Hallmart hires Spencer for nat’l sales

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/8/2008 11:50:00 AM

Burbank, Calif. – Bill Spencer has joined Hallmart Collectibles as national sales and marketing manager for key accounts.

Spencer will spearhead a growing decorative bedding business for Hallmart outside of the furniture store distribution that has been its mainstay.

“Bill will be developing programs with national retailers. He has a good product development background, and our sampling and production capabilities are a good match,” said Jesse Galili, vp. “We change products for retailers and make buyers’ lives easier. There still needs to be a value, but there also are needs for style, fashion and function.”

With Spencer’s hiring, the company will be organized in two segments, the furniture store segment under Mike Kehnast and the home textiles division under Spencer with responsibilities for sales and marketing. “We’ve been trying to serve both together,” Galili remarked.

“With Bill coming on board we will combine our proven expertise in design, production and logistics with his experience, contacts and expertise in marketing and retailing,” Galili added.

Spencer joins Hallmart from GTT International, where he was national sales and marketing manager. Earlier he had been a sales manager for other importers and manufacturers, and prior to that was a buyer for Target, Federated and May Department Stores.

Spencer is responsible for building a sales team, developing product with the design staff that best suits the needs of the customers, he said, as well as creating and managing a strategy to build profitable sales.

“I am also excited about the possibilities with the Kathy Ireland license held by Hallmart. I see a great opportunity here for a business based on the current trends, a recognizable brand, and on the product I have seen so far.”