Former Sears exec is back for more

Michael McCarthy, a former executive of Sears Holdings for 28 years, has returned to the now-fragmented Sears family for a new senior role at Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores.

Effective Sept. 21, he will step in as VP merchandising and inventory at SHOS, in which role he will oversee merchandising, assorting and inventory. Specific duties will include product selection and assortment planning strategy, inventory management and productivity, product and visual merchandising, product marketing and awareness strategies, promotional design, as well as vendor relationships and support.

McCarthy left his job as senior VP and general manager of Sears Full-Line Stores the year prior to the spinoff of its Hometown and Outlet division. He since worked for Macy's and Pep Boys.

He has over 30 years of retail experience, including many successive merchandising roles he held at Sears Holdings.

"Mike is a seasoned retail professional with comprehensive experience across multiple retail disciplines at a senior executive level and he has a track record of success," said Will Powell, CEO and president of Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, Inc. "He has an extensive history with Sears Holdings Corporation, serving in many different capacities over nearly three decades, including executive-level positions in several functional areas. This includes direct experience working in our business formats, and multiple merchandising, assorting and inventory planning assignments. Not only does he understand our business model, he knows how to work effectively with dealers and franchisees."

"I'm excited to be joining Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores," said McCarthy. "The opportunity leverages my past experience and I look forward to being part of the executive team charged with the company's transformation."