RETAILING

Kmart Reorganizes Merchandising Operations: The Troy, Mich.-based discount retailer said the changes will improve efficiency and is part of its effort to boost profit. All of its general-merchandise managers for soft lines such as apparel, hard lines such as appliances and consumables such as food will report to Warren Flick, who was named president and head of merchandising in December. Analysts applauded the move. “Before, there was no focus, but now there will be a central control and a vision of what Kmart is supposed to be and how its stores are supposed to look,” retail consultant Kurt Barnard said. Kmart Corp. has reported declining earnings or losses for more than two years.