Sears Roebuck and Co. (Hoffman Estates, Ill.) has named former Kohl's senior executive Beryl Buley to the post of senior vp/gm, home stores.
Buley replaces Dan Laughlin, who has been promoted to senior vp/gmm, appliances and electronics, effective immediately. Both will report to Mark Cosby, executive vp and president, full- line stores.
Buley had been executive vp at Kohl's (Menomonee Falls, Wis.), where he was responsible for operations of 542 stores with annual sales of $10 billion.
“Beryl is widely respected in the retail industry for his leadership and for his operating expertise,” said Cosby.
Earlier this month, Lyle Heidemann, Sears executive vp/gm ice president/general manager of home and off-mall stores, announced he would retire at the end of the year, concluding a 36-year career with Sears. Through year-end, Heidemann will continue to lead many of Sears' important hardlines businesses.
Buley will be responsible for approximately 1300 off-mall stores, including dealer stores, Sears Hardware, Orchard Supply Hardware, Sears Outlet Stores, Sears Appliance and Hardware stores, builder distributors (McPhail's and Florida Builders) and National Tire and Battery (until closing of the sale to TBC Corp.), as well as licensed businesses and contract sales.
Prior to Kohl's, Buley had served in a variety of roles with the various divisions within Target Corp. (Minneapolis): Target Stores, Mervyn's Department Stores and Marshall Field's Department Stores.