Bon-Ton Stores Inc. (York, Pa.) has named Kathryn Bufano as president and ceo,) reports Women’s Wear Daily. The former president and chief merchandising officer of Belk Inc. (Charlotte, N.C. has held positions at department stores including Macy’s, Lord & Taylor and Sears and succeeds Brendan Hoffman, who did not renew his three-year contract with Bon-Ton.
At Belk, David Zant will succeed Bufano as president and chief merchandising officer. He was previously the executive vp and general merchandising manager of men’s, home and kids and will now report to Tim Belk, chairman and ceo.
Bon-Ton is a struggling regional department store chain and Bufano will be challenged to design a new strategy to help the company, according to WWD. In the first quarter, total sales decreased 6.1 percent to $607.5 million from $646.9 million a year prior.