RETAILING

Mervyn’s Gets New Chief Operating Officer: Paul W. Sauser has been named president and chief operating officer of the Hayward, Calif.-based department store chain and will report to Joseph C. Vesce, who has been promoted to chairman. Previously, Sauser was senior vice president of merchandising at Target discount stores. Sauser, 45, will manage merchandising, marketing and product development functions at Mervyn’s. Vesce, 44, is Mervyn’s chief executive and will retain that position while serving as chairman. The Mervyn’s and Target chains are owned by Minneapolis-based Dayton Hudson Corp.