Epp resigns at Levitz; Pelcher fills position
By Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, April 12, 2004
WOODBURY, N.Y. — Loreen Epp has resigned as senior vice president of merchandising for Levitz stores, and the company has named Levitz case goods buyer Chris Pelcher to take her place.
In another executive change, Levitz Home Furnishings Inc., parent of Levitz and Seaman's, has hired Mark Sussman to lead the merchandising team for the Seaman's chain.
Epp, who had been with Seaman's and then Levitz Home Furnishings Inc. when Seaman's and Levitz merged, confirmed her resignation but declined further comment.
Mark Scott, president and chief operating officer, wouldn't elaborate other than to say it was Epps' decision to leave.
"We wish her well, and I'm sure she'll be very successful in whatever she decides to do," he said.
He added that Pelcher is "a homegrown talent, and he had far and away the best (performing business segment) in the company this past fiscal year."
Scott said Sussman is senior vice president of merchandising for the Seaman's stores — a role that LHFI's late CEO, Alan Rosenberg, had taken on until his death in November.
Sussman most recently was director of product development and strategic planning for KB Toys, where he worked with Scott, who left KB to join LHFI early this year.
Sussman has no furniture industry experience but has been in retail for 20 years. Before KB Toys, he was a divisional merchandise manager for J. Crew, and previously worked at Burberry London and Lord & Taylor.
Scott said Sussman will have the support of a buying staff with "tons of tenure" in the furniture industry.
Epp joined Seaman's in 1998 as vice president of development and strategic marketing for its Seaman's Kids division. She went on to become senior vice president of merchandising for Levitz and then held the same position for both chains during most of last year, until the merchandising duties were divided again in September.
The 128-store LHFI had estimated furniture, bedding and accessory sales last year of $957.1 million.
