Sears, Kmart get new top merchant

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Sears Holdings Corp. has moved to reverse its declining performance by hiring Ron Boire, the former president and chief executive officer of Brookstone Inc., as executive vice president, chief merchandising officer and president, Sears and Kmart formats. In this role, Boire will be responsible for merchandising and for both Sears- and Kmart-bannered stores. The appointment comes close on the heels of management’s decision to shutter as many as 120 Sears and Kmart locations following striking declines in comparable-store sales at both chains during the eight weeks prior to Christmas. Comp-store results at Kmart fell 4.4%