The Co-operative Group is to merge its buying and marketing teams, leading to the departure of two senior food retail executives.
The UK’s fifth-largest retailer said yesterday (19 January) that it wants to ensure that the “benefits and momentum” created by its acquisition of Somerfield last year is “sustained for the benefit of its customers and members”.
The firm is creating a “commercial” function in its food business that will merge the buying and marketing teams together under a single leadership.
The area will be headed up by Sean Toal in the new role of commercial director, moving from his previous role as director of food retail operations.
As a result, the posts of director of food retail marketing and director of food retail trading held by Debbie Robinson and David Messom respectively, will become redundant.
Robinson will leave the business while David will stay on to support the transition before leaving at a date to be determined, the group said.
Tim Hurrell, managing director of the Co-op’s food business, said: “Sean’s appointment will ensure that we now take this momentum forward and secure our position as the premier community food retailer.“
In addition, a restructuring of the firm’s marketing and financial services and travel departments will involve a further five role redundancies.
Patrick Allen, group marketing director, said the redundancies are “necessary to further support the Co-operative Group and ensure that business momentum is sustained”.
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