Stage Stores Inc. announced the promotion of Thorsten Weber to the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer. Weber will succeed Steve Lawrence who announced his intention to leave the company to pursue other interests. Weber began his retail career with May Department Stores. He then joined JCPenney’s buying division where he assumed positions of increasing responsibility up to and including Division Vice President before being promoted to Senior Vice President, Planning and Allocation. Before joining Stage Stores in 2013, Weber worked at Kohl’s as Senior Vice President, Planning and Allocation.