People Briefs

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 4/9/2007 12:00:00 AM

Kirkland's Taps Ostler

Home décor specialty retailer Kirkland's has hired Jeff Ostler as vp, director of stores, reporting directly to Cathy David, president and coo of 340-store Kirkland's.

Ostler was most recently vp store operations at merchandiser Hastings Entertainment, and previously had stints at Denninghouse and Dollar General, where he was division manager of retail operations for 1,000 stores.

Sure Fit Hires De Sotle

George De Sotle has been named svp - sales & marketing for Sure Fit, the major marketer and distributor of branded and private label furniture covers.

De Sotle will oversee all retail sales, marketing, and forecast planning efforts for the company and will report to ceo Hugh Rovit. With more than 25 years of sales and merchandise management experience in soft textiles, De Sotle spent the last seven years as evp of sales with Sleep Innovations. Previously, he was vp sales with American Home, and also spent more than a decade in senior sales positions with Springs Industries. De Sotle will team up with Nancy Cartisano, svp of product development and sourcing.

Family Dollar Taps Lee

Neighborhood discount merchandiser Family Dollar Stores has hired Wook Lee as senior vp – global sourcing, reporting to Robert George, executive vp – merchandising.

"Today, approximately 40% of our merchandise is manufactured globally. Enhancing our global sourcing capabilities will enable us to improve merchandise quality and lower our production and supply chain costs," said Howard Levine, chairman and ceo.

Lee spent nine years with Target Corporation, where his last position was as global vp of production service. He was most recently president of A & O Consulting, serving multi-national apparel development and manufacturing clients with production facilities in China, Southeast Asia, and Central America.