Bufano is new Belk president, chief merchant

HTT Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 8/9/2010 12:45:08 PM

Kathryn Bufano

Charlotte, N.C. - Kathryn Bufano has been named president and chief merchandising officer at Belk department stores.

She joined the company as president of merchandising and marketing in January 2008. She succeeds H.W. McKay Belk, who has decided to extend a year-long sabbatical that began last August and transition into the role of vice chairman.

Prior to Belk, Bufano was ceo of the Vanity Shops, a 200-store juniors specialty retail chain based it Fargo, N.D. Before that, she held executive merchandising positions at Sears Roebuck and Co. (now part of Sears Holdings Inc.), The Dress Barn, Macy's East and Lord & Taylor.

Tim Belk, chairman and ceo of Belk, described Bufano as "an outstanding merchant who understands our Southern lifestyle and is providing excellent strategic leadership to enable Belk to deliver the fashion, style and service that our customers expect and deserve."