Veteran Merchant Mettler Retiring

By Carole Sloan -- Home Textiles Today, 1/26/2009 12:00:00 AM

Los Angeles —

Veteran retail senior executive Robert Mettler will retire on Jan. 31.

Mettler, 68, will leave the industry where he most recently was president for special projects at Macy's. He retired about a year ago from Macy's West where he was chairman and ceo from 2002, and earlier was that division's president and coo since 1999.

Terry Lundgren, chairman, ceo and president of Macy's said, "Bob Mettler is a terrific merchant and has been an important factor in Macy's expansion in the western U.S."

"Bob is very insightful, understands human nature and can visualize ways to capitalize on potential opportunities with the customer," Lundgren added. "Bob has been a friend for many years and I know him well enough to know he won't be sitting still in his retirement. I wish him all the best in his life after Macy's."

Added Sue Kronick, vice-chair of Macy's, "I know we all will miss Bob's enthusiasm for the business and his perspective on understanding the customer."

Mettler started his retailing career in 1962 at the former Jordan Marsh, Boston where he spent 18 years, culminating as svp of Allied Stores. He joined Allied's Joske's in San Antonio, Texas in 1980 where he was ceo and combined the three divisions of Joske's into one.

He left Allied in 1986 to join the May Co. L.S. Ayres division in Indiana — for 27 days — when he was reassigned to head the May Co. division Robinson's in Los Angeles, where he served for six years.

Mettler then joined Sears as president of soft lines and home fashions, and two years later became president of all merchandising at Sears.

While retiring from retailing, Mettler will join the board of a company that will make the announcement after his official retirement date. "I look forward to that, and to getting involved in possibly other boards and helping and advising on other kinds of things. I don't want another job, but I won't sit home," he said.