SUPER KMART'S PRESIDENT EXITS POST

TROY, Mich. -- Kmart here said Ronald J. Floto has resigned as executive vice president and president of Super Kmart Centers, effective May 5.

ding Floto on an interim basis will be Floyd Hall, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Kmart. In addition, Ernest L. Heether, senior vice president for merchandising planning and replenishment, will take over Floto's responsibilities for the company's distribution centers.

Last week, Dairy Farm International Holdings Ltd. announced it had named Floto chief executive. He will join Jardine Matheson, a Dairy Farm retail division, in June, succeeding Chris Nelson, who has been acting chief executive since the company's management structure was overhauled last year.

Floto had been responsible for Kmart distribution centers on an interim basis since Joe Collins left the company in February, and Heether will now serve on an interim basis until a permanent successor is named. Heether will continue to report to Warren Flick, president and chief operating officer of Kmart.

Kmart operates 97 supercenters, including one that opened in San Jose, Calif., in February. The company said it will open three more Super Kmart Centers this year. (For more on Kmart's expansion plans, see story on Page 6.)

Floto joined Kmart as executive vice president and president of the supercenter operation in October 1994, after serving as chairman, president and CEO of Kash n' Karry Food Stores, Tampa, Fla.

"I regret that Ron has decided to leave," Hall said last week. "During the past two-and-a-half years, he has made many contributions to our company that stretch beyond the Super Kmart Center organization.

"He has put a first-rate management team in place that will be instrumental as we grow." Shawn Kahle, vice president of corporate affairs, said finding a successor for Floto "will get our immediate attention to act swiftly."

She noted that Floto is leaving behind "good leadership" in the persons of Dave Marsico, vice president of general merchandise and Dennis Carter, vice president of food for Super Kmart Centers.

Kahle declined to say if a successor was likely to come from inside the Kmart organization.