Kmart Names New SVP of In-Store Presentation

Barbara Firment, 32-year veteran of Kmart Corp. (Troy, Mich.), has been named senior vp of advertising, sales and in-store presentation. She will report directly to chairman and ceo James Adamson, effective immediately. Her responsibilities will include overseeing the weekly circular, newspaper advertising, direct mail production and in-store events and signage.

Firment joined Kmart as merchandise associate in 1970 and was most recently vp, advertising and in-store event marketing.

Chad Harrison, formerly divisional vp, store communication and presentation, was promoted to vp, sales and in-store presentation, overseeing sales promotions, store signage, product presentation and store communication related to special events. Shawn Hearn, formerly vp, field human resources, has been named vp. advertising. Both will report directly to Firment.

As the nation's seventh-largest retailer, in bankruptcy reorganization since January, was announcing these executive changes, it also reported the expansion of four Big Kmart stores to Kmart SuperCenters in Indianapolis. The stores — on Commercial Drive, West Washington Street, East Washington Street and Madison Avenue — are the first Kmart SuperCenters in the Indianapolis market. All four stores will make their official “re-grand” opening as Kmart SuperCenters on Saturday.

“The opening of four Kmart SuperCenters in Indianapolis is a significant step for Kmart at this time,” said president and coo Julian Day. “It demonstrates that Kmart is making forward progress [and] is an emphatic statement that Kmart remains a strong force in retail in Indiana.”