Steve Murrells, the chief executive of UK meat processor Tulip, is to become CEO of The Co-operative Group’s food retail business.

Murrells, a former Tesco and Sainsbury’s executive, will take the role in July. He replaces Tim Hurrell, who retired last year.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The 46-year-old said today (27 January) that The Co-op had “made enormous strides in its food business” and insisted it was “an exciting time” to take the job.

This week, The Co-op, the UK’s fifth-largest grocer, said seven senior food managers were to leave the company amid a restructuring of its food business.

Murrells joined Tulip in 2009 from Tesco, where his roles included commercial director for its fresh foods business and CEO of c-store chain One Stop. He also held buying and trading roles at Sainsbury’s.

See Also:

The Co-op’s food sales have been lacklustre in recent months. In the 13 weeks to 31 December, like-for-like sales from The Co-op’s food stores fell 0.2%, although the retailer pointed to a 3.1% increase in the four weeks to New Year’s Eve.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

In the six months to 2 July, sales were down 4.6%, which led to a 21% drop in underlying profits from its food stores. Those results prompted group chief executive Peter Marks to then describe trading conditions in the UK as “the worst I have seen in 40 years of retailing”.

The Co-op also announced today the promotion of food commercial director Sean Toal to a new position of chief operating officer for the grocery division.

Commenting on the appointments, Marks said: “As a result of the acquisition and integration of Somerfield, The Co-operative Group has experienced phenomenal growth, and is once again a major force in food retailing. These appointments reflect this. Steve and Sean bring to their new positions a wealth of experience and complementary skills to make us more efficient and more customer focussed as we move through the next phase of our development.”