LARRY POLLOCK STEPS DOWN AS PRESIDENT OF ZALE CORP.
IRVING, Tex. — Larry Pollock has resigned as president of Zale Corp. here.
Pollock said he will return to his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, where he owns two radio stations and where his two teenage daughters live. He said he has no immediate plans to join another firm. “My entire career has usually been a startup or a turnaround. You never know,” he said.
He joined Zale in January 1994, less than six months after the jewelry retailer emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The chain filed for Chapter 11 in January 1992.
Pollock’s title and responsibilities will be assumed by Robert J. DiNicola, who is also chairman and chief executive officer.
His departure follows a December sales report that the firm posted a 7.6 percent sales gain in same-store business. Total sales for the month increased 6.2 percent to $297.7 million from $280.2 million.
Zale operates almost 1,200 jewelry stores and leased departments across the U.S., Guam and Puerto Rico under the names Zale, Corrigan’s, Gordon’s and Bailey Banks & Biddle. Leased departments are in units of Dillard Department Stores, Mercantile Stores Co., Dayton Hudson and The Broadway.