Sears names new head of The Great Indoors

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 7/19/2004 12:00:00 AM

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Moving full bore to rebuild its retail position, Sears this morning named Catherine David vice president and general manager of The Great Indoors. The move comes just seven days after the company created the position of president of Sears Retail, for which it has launched an executive search.

David replaces Jeff Jones, who was promoted last April to executive vice president of merchandising operations for Sears. David will be responsible merchandising, marketing and operations at the specialty home chain.

Most recently, David served as president of Newell-Rubbermaid’s Burnes Group, the supplier of photo frames and related products. Prior to that she was with Target Corporation for 12 years, where she served in various management roles, including oversight of the customer direct business, merchandise planning, buying and marketing. David will report to Beryl Buley, Sears’ senior vice president and general merchandise manager of home stores.

In August of 2003, The Great Indoors announced a refinement of its business strategy to establish a profitable operating model built on the stores¹ customer appeal. "I am pleased that we are ahead of schedule in working through our strategic redefinition," Buley said. "And I look forward to Catherine's contributions in helping us maximize the potential of The Great Indoors."