Kantor named Macy’s chief home merchant 

-- Home Textiles Today, 2/3/2009 3:03:00 PM

New York – Jeff Kantor, president of big ticket home furnishings (furniture and rugs), has been named president and general merchandise manager heading the new Macy’s Inc. home furnishings business under the new organization for the company announced yesterday.

Tim Adams, who has been chairman and ceo of Macy’s Home Store, will become chief private brand officer for the entire Macy’s department stores, responsible for the organization that concepts, designs, sources and markets the company’s private brands.

Kantor joined the company following the Macy’s (then Federated Department Stores) acquisition of May Department Stores in 2005. At the time of the acquisition, Kantor was the president and ceo of May’s Hecht’s/Strawbridge’s in Arlington, Va.

In his new position, which begins early in the second quarter, Kantor will report to Jeffrey Gennette, who will become chief merchandising officer responsible for all buying and merchandising functions for Macy’s nationwide, as well as relations with market vendor partners. Gennette currently is chairman and ceo of Macy’s West.

Michael Gould remains chairman and ceo of Bloomingdale’s, which continues to operate as a separate organization.