Solimine leaves Kittle's post
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 20, 2006
Indianapolis — Industry veteran John Solimine has left retailer Kittle's here as executive vice president of merchandising and marketing, and Chairman Jim Kittle has taken on a more active role.
Solimine, who joined the 16-store Top 100 company about 18 months ago, said he is looking at other industry opportunities, both on the supplier and retailing sides. He essentially had been commuting to Kittle's from Chicago.
John Durkott, Kittle's president and CEO, said he and Kittle will be sharing Solimine's duties for now, noting that merchandising and marketing were among Jim Kittle's strengths before he stepped back from day-to-day responsibilities.
Kittle recently left his post as chairman of the Republican party in Indiana.
Durkott said Solimine joined the retailer at an important time of substantial remerchandising, and credited him with developing a sound import program and increasing gross margins.
Solimine, who in a 30 years-plus industry career has held key merchandising posts at the now-defunct Breuners Home Furnishings Corp., Sears and Marshall Field's, said he had "a great year and a half with the Kittle's organization, and they were very supportive."
