P.A. Bergner exec who led Carson's buy retires early

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     Alan Anderson, the executive who negotiated P.A. Bergner's 1989 acquisition of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. exactly two years ago, is now out of a job.

     Milwaukee-based Bergner announced Monday that Anderson, chairman and chief executive of the Swiss-owned company, took "early retirement" from the 69-store retailer last week, and will relocate to Florida in the near future.

      Spokesman Ed Carroll said Anderson's departure would result in "a minor restructuring" of Bergner's senior management, though he wouldn't elaborate. However, Carroll said the company is not planning to close stores or eliminate store personnel.

      Reports have circulated in recent weeks about financial woes at Bergner, due mainly to losses entailed at Chicago-based Carson's. While privately held Bergner won't comment on its financial performance, officials haven't disputed a recent published report stating that Bergner lost roughly $25 million in its latest fiscal year, against a $26 million loss in the year-ago period.

      Asked if Anderson was removed from his job, Carroll said, "We can't go beyond what's in (the company's) release."

      In recent weeks, there have been rumors that Bergner might be looking for a buyer for all or parts of its retailing operation as a result of its financial situation. Names such as Dillard Department Stores and the May Co. have surfaced as possible suitors, though both companies have a policy of not commenting on possible acquisition.

      Asked if Bergner may be looking for a buyer for all or part of its operation, Carroll replied, "No."

      Now the search is on at Bergner for a new chairman, and it has hired a New York retail executive search firm to look for the chief. Bergner said its remaining top managers, led by President and Chief Operating Officer Stanton J. Bluestone, will continue to run the company.

      Bertrand Maus, principal of Maus Freres, the Swiss-based company that has owned Bergner since 1938, said of Anderson's retirement, "My partners and I would like to thank Alan for his many contributions to the growth of Bergner's and wish him well in the future." Maus could not be reached for comment Monday.

      Maus Freres bankrolled the $453 million Carson's deal announced May 1, 1989, after a tense negotiation that ended when Bergner agreed to make the purchase without the traditional "due diligence" - examination of the financial books.

      Bergner hasn't disputed reports that Maus has had to infuse Carson's operation with an additional $80 million, which some sources speculated Monday could have caused Bergner's change at the top.

      However, Maus is regarded as a financially healthy company that can afford to keep its U.S. retail operation afloat.

      At the time of its acquisition, Carson's was facing financial troubles of its own, largely stemming from problems it had digesting the 1987 acquisition of the Minneapolis-based Donaldsons department store chain. Those Minneapolis stores are still believed to be struggling under Bergner's leadership.

      Before the Carson's buyout, Bergner - which operated stores in Illinois at that time in locations such as Peoria and Joliet - had been consistently profitable.