NATION

F. W. Woolworth Co. said its board elected Harold E. Sells, president and chief operating officer, to succeed John W. Lynn as chairman and chief executive of the nation’s seventh-largest retailer.

The change is to take place when Lynn retires on Jan. 31 at the age of 65.

Lynn, who has worked for the company for 45 years, will continue as a director of the company.

Sells, 58, will be replaced by Fred E. Hennig, currently senior vice president for worldwide general merchandise operations.