Venator, Williams-Sonoma Name New Execs

Venator Group Inc., owner of the Foot Locker chain of athletic-shoe stores, said it named Matthew Serra chief executive and president and J. Carter Bacot chairman, effective March 4. Serra, 56, currently is president and chief operating officer. Serra and Bacot are replacing Dale Hilpert, who will resign March 3 to become chief executive of Williams-Sonoma Inc., a kitchenware and home-furnishings chain whose stores include Pottery Barn and Hold Everything. New York-based Venator rose 14 cents to close at $12.04, and Williams-Sonoma rose 28 cents to finish at $24.90, both on the NYSE.