NATION

Herbert Gilman, chairman of Ames Department Stores Inc., will retire Jan. 31 but remain a director. Gilman will be succeeded as chairman by James A. Harmon, chairman of Wertheim Schroder & Co., who is chairman of Ames’ executive committee. Ames, based in Rocky Hill, Conn., operates 343 discount department stores and 144 variety stores. Gilman’s two brothers and parents founded Ames in 1958, and Gilman joined the business in 1960.