GREEN BAY, Wis. — Shopko Stores Operating Co. has made two executive appointments its merchandising division.

Shopko Stores Operating Co. has made two executive appointments its merchandising division.

Craig Gourley has been named senior vice president and general merchandise manager of home and hard lines. Additionally, Tom Abbott, who had been responsible for textiles, has been appointed senior vice president of product development and general merchandise manager for consumables. Both report to Jill Soltau, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer.

In his new role Gourley is responsible for overseeing all aspects of merchandising for the home division, including developing strategies, negotiating vendor partnerships and managing the buying team. A 25-year retail veteran, Gourley joined Shopko after five years at J.C. Penney Co., where he served as divisional vice president and divisional merchandise manager, managing 60% of the chain’s home business. Before joining Penney, Gourley worked for 20 years at The May Co. After its merger with Federated Department Stores, he became divisional VP and DMM of textiles for the Macy’s division.

Gourley has joined Shopko as it converts more than 160 Pamida discount stores to the new Shopko Hometown format, which combines Shopko’s strong emphasis on health services and customer service with apparel, home furnishings, toys, consumer electronics, seasonal items and lawn and garden in a box ranging from 15,000 to 35,000 square feet.

Abbott has spent 20 of his 40-plus years in retailing with Shopko, where he started as a senior buyer. In 2005 he joined the executive team and, under his direction, the company’s product development division has produced consistently outstanding results. He has been the key strategist behind Shopko’s successful private label program and also has played an integral role in the development of the Shopko Hometown merchandising strategy.