HAYWARD, Calif.--Mervyns Chief Executive Officer Rick Leto has left the company after three years at the promotional department store chain, confirmed a spokeswoman.
Leto was named president and chief merchandising officer in 2004.
During that time, Leto revamped the retailer's product mix, merchandising team and marketing message to better compete with midmarket brethren Kohl's and J.C. Penney as Meryvns downsized to focus on its core markets in the West and Southwest.
Leto, a 30-year retail veteran, previously was executive vice president of merchandising for Kohl's, Mervyns' direct competitor.
