Hanover Direct appoints president of Domestications; Announces additional hirings and promotions in operations, marketing, human resources and legal

WEEKHAWKEN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 16, 1996--Hanover Direct Inc. (AMEX: HNV) announced today that the company has appointed Michael Ippolito to lead its Domestications division. In addition, the company announced several key personnel appointments and promotions throughout the company.

Michael Ippolito Joins as President of Domestications

As president of Domestications, Ippolito is heading up one of the nation's leading home furnishings catalogs and Hanover Direct's largest division. Ippolito joins Hanover Direct from Popular Club Plan, where he was employed since 1990, most recently as senior vice president - merchandising. Prior to that, he held senior level merchandising positions with several leading retailers including Filene's, B. Altman's and Abraham & Strauss.

According to Hanover Direct President and Chief Executive Officer Rakesh K. Kaul, "Mike Ippolito is a talented home store merchant with a track record of growing profitable businesses. I have every confidence that his contributions will be instrumental as we seek to revitalize our merchandise offering and leverage off the strong asset value of our Domestications franchise."

Ippolito holds a B.S. degree in management and marketing from Hofstra University. He and his family reside in Floral Park, N.Y.

John Fermelia Joins as Vice President & General Manager - Home Fashions Distribution Center

John Fermelia has joined Hanover Direct as vice president & general manager of the company's Home Fashions Distribution Center in Roanoke, Va. Previously vice president - operations for Lillian Vernon Inc., Fermilia is responsible for overseeing the facility's $3 million renovation, scheduled for completion in January 1997, and bringing it fully up to speed in meeting Domestications' fulfillment requirements.

According to Kaul, Fermelia brings to the position "extraordinary experience, outstanding academic credentials and proven operational problem solving skills which should have an immediate positive impact on fixing our Roanoke home fashions facility." Prior to joining Lillian Vernon, he held similar positions with The Sharper Image, Newark Electronics and Spiegel.

Fermelia holds an M.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Wyoming and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago.

Howard Lee Joins as Vice President, Marketing for Domestications

Howard Lee, Domestications' newly appointed vice president, marketing, comes to Hanover Direct from Sur la Table, where he was chief operating officer. Prior to that he worked as a consultant for several direct marketing companies including American Express, Harry & David, J. Peterman, The Learning Company and Smith & Hawken.

According to Kaul, "I am very pleased to welcome Howard Lee to our Domestications team. He brings to the Company a strong entrepreneurial perspective with a broad knowledge of the direct marketing industry."

Lee attended the University of Washington and will be moving his family to New Jersey from Seattle.

Dawn Carlson Joins as Vice President & General Manager - Hanover, Pa. Fulfillment Operations

Effective Aug. 19, 1996, Dawn Carlson will join Hanover Direct as vice president & general manager of the company's Hanover, Pa. fulfillment operations, where the company provides fulfillment for all hardlines catalogs.

Carlson currently serves as director of catalog sales for Mrs. Field's in Salt Lake City. Previous positions include vice president - operations for Passport Internationale, Express Fulfillment Services and Coach Leatherware. She began her career in direct marketing with Barnes and Noble and The Barbara George Collection.

Carlson is a graduate of the University of Connecticut.

Lisa Green Joins as Staff Attorney

Green has joined Hanover Direct's legal staff as staff attorney. She previously served as legal counsel to CUC International for two years, and was an associate with the law firm of Winston & Strawn for six years. Most recently, she was associated with Great Brands of Europe, a subsidiary of The Danone Group.

Green is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds her law degree from Emory University.

Mary Vonnegut Promoted to Senior Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer

Vonnegut joined Hanover Direct in December 1994 as president, museum collections and was later named senior vice president -- marketing for Domestications. Prior to that she worked as vice president - marketing for Ross-Simons and vice president - chief operating officer for Passport Internationale.

Vonnegut holds a bachelor of arts degree from Middlebury College and earned an MBA from Harvard University. She and her family reside in Bronxville, N.Y.

Ralph Bulle Promoted to Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Bulle has led Hanover Direct's human resources efforts since 1993 when he joined as vice president - human resources. Prior to that he held similar positions with May Department Stores and Seaman Furniture Co.

Bulle holds a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University and earned a master's degree from Columbia University. He and his family reside in Garden City, N.Y.

President and CEO Rakesh Kaul stated, "I am delighted to recognize the talents and contributions of both Mary Vonnegut and Ralph Bulle. As senior corporate officers, their efforts will continue to be of significant importance to the Company as we strive to build world-class operations."

Hanover Direct Inc. is a leading direct specialty retailer that markets, via a portfolio of branded specialty catalogs, home fashions, general merchandise and apparel, with 1995 total company revenues of $750 million. Hanover Direct titles include Domestications, a leading specialty home textiles catalog; The Company Store, an upscale direct marketer of down comforters and other down and related products for the home; Colonial Garden Kitchens, featuring work saving and lifestyle enhancing items for the kitchen and home; International Male, offering unique men's fashions with an international flair; Tweeds, the European-inspired women's fashion catalog; Kitchen & Home, an upscale kitchen and home products catalog; Gump's, a leading upscale catalog of exclusive gifts, which opened its new retail store in downtown San Francisco in March 1995; The Safety Zone, a direct marketer of safety, prevention, and protection products; Silhouettes, featuring everyday, workout, special occasion and career fashions for larger-sized women; Undergear, a leader in activewear, workout wear and fashion underwear for men; Austad's, a direct marketer of golf equipment, related apparel and accessories; and Improvements, a leading do-it-yourself home improvement catalog. The company has a venture with Sears in which it mails several of its catalogs under various names to Sears customers.

CONTACT: Hanover Direct Inc., Weehawken

Debra A. Berliner, 201/319-3491

e-mail: 10252.1311@CompuServe.com