Robinsons-May Chairman Steps Down After 2 Days

Gerald A. Sampson has resigned as chairman of the newly merged Robinsons-May department store chain after two days in the job, the company said Wednesday.

Replacing him is Kenneth Wilkerson, 52, chairman of Robinson’s before the merger, which took place Feb. 1. Robinsons-May is owned by May Department Stores of St. Louis.

In a press release, May Department Stores offered no explanation for Sampson’s departure, saying he left “to pursue other interests.” Sampson, 51, had been chairman of May Co. California before the consolidation of Robinson’s and May Co.

Sampson’s unexpected resignation raised speculation that the consolidation of the two department store chains had somehow gone awry. But in a statement, Richard L. Battram, vice chairman of May Department Stores, praised Sampson’s role in the consolidation and thanked him for remaining until its completion.

David P. Mullen, formerly president of May Co. California, continues as president and chief executive of Robinsons-May.

Sampson arrived at May Co. in July, 1991, presumably to shore up the chain’s sagging position in intensively competitive Southern California market. He was tapped for the No. 2 position at Robinsons-May when the consolidation was announced last October.

Before becoming chairman of Robinson’s in 1990, Wilkerson was chairman of May Department Stores’ Famous-Barr division for five years. He joined the company in 1969.