Asda has shaken up its executive team ahead of what it’s calling the “toughest year yet” in UK retailing.
Andrew Moore has been promoted to chief merchandising officer, with food trading added to his current responsibilities of general merchandise and George. In the past he spent 25 years in senior buying positions at premium retailer Marks & Spencer.
Barry Williams will take on the role of chief customer officer, as Steve Smith completes his secondment in the UK and finalises his next role in Walmart.
“A retail business runs in cycles and as we start the year – one which promises to be the toughest year yet for our sector – I want stability at the top of the organisation through fewer, bigger leadership roles which will speed up decision making in this highly competitive market,” said Asda CEO Andy Clarke.
“Barry has driven our food trading operation with incredible skill and passion over the past two years. His absolute focus on doing the right things for our customers meant he was the natural choice for me to promote into the critical role of Chief Customer Officer as Steve completes his assignment with us.
“Andrew has taken our George and general merchandise business from strength to strength and his promotion to Chief Merchandising Officer will bring even greater value ranges to our customers across all Asda’s 35,000 product lines.
“Under his leadership, Andrew will bring a renewed focus on product design and development, product quality as well as the traditional priorities of price and profit to a fully-integrated trading organisation.'
The news comes as the retailer announced its biggest ever price rollback, investing over £300m in lowering 2,500 prices.
In 2014 Asda invested over £300m in lowering the price of its products.
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