Leading Co-operative Group figure Debbie Robinson has been appointed managing director of Spar (UK) Ltd.
The former director of food marketing for the Co-operative Group will be joining at the end of the summer, based at Spar’s central office in Harrow.
Robinson is credited with developing the Co-operative Good with Food campaign which included extended TV, radio and press communications.
She also developed store formats including layout, macro space allocation, merchandising and design for petrol forecourts, convenience stores and supermarkets and delivered an extensive refit programme delivering significant return on investment and also developed a 3,000 plus own branded product range.
Spar chairman Peter Blakemore said she brings a “wealth of retail experience and her passion and knowledge will be invaluable to our business”.
She was also general manager for brand and retail at The Co-op, responsible for all store location and acquisition strategies, format designs and ranging.
Robinson said: “I am delighted to be taking on this role; Spar is a fantastic business with a regional structure that is ideally suited to today’s customer needs. My priority will be to continue to drive the Spar brand forward increasing its relevance with customers and developing the offer to drive sales and profit.”
Jerry Marwood said: “This is a fantastic hire for Spar. Debbie’s appointment is in line with the further development of Spar. Our retail estate is growing and our Spar retailers are positive about their prospects and still continue to invest locally. I am very confident that Debbie will be an excellent contributor to the business.”
Spar retail sales for the nine months to the end of January have been solid but the organisation says that the economic climate is still challenging with more and more competition coming into the convenience sector, and this will continue well into 2012.
Retail sales for the organisation rose by 1.7 per cent year-on-year to 31 January 2011. Own-brand sales rose by 3.9 per cent year-on-year with a particular strong performance in the sales of fresh foods which has risen by 6.6 per cent. Full-year results are expected in July.
