Nagler leaves Kmart to head Catherines - Lorna Nagler to be president of Catherines Stores Corp - Brief Article

DSN Retailing Today, April 22, 2002 by Mike Duff

BENSALEM, PA. -- Charming Shoppes is on the receiving end of one of the highest profile female executive defections in recent retailing history. Earlier this month, Lorna Nagler, former Kmart senior vp and gmm for apparel and jewelry, left the struggling discount department store for the women's plus-size retailer Catherines Stores Corporation, where she steps in as president.

Catherines Stores is a division of Charming Shoppes and Nagler will report to Charming Shoppes chairman, ceo and president Dorrit Bern. Nagler will work out of the chain's Memphis, Tenn., headquarters and oversee all aspects of business at Catherines Stores, including merchandising, marketing, stores, financial and all operating functions.

Nagler rose to the top apparel spot in Kmart after supervising the successful rollout of the Sesame Street children's apparel program when she headed up kids' clothes. Her background was with Kids "R" Us, Montgomery Ward and Lane Bryant, which was recently acquired by Charming Shoppes. In a statement at the time her new appointment was announced, Nagler said, "I share Charming Shoppes' passion and affinity for the plus-size woman, and look forward to expanding our opportunities to serve this consumer's apparel needs."