Safeway has recruited WHSmith's Reg Curtis as commercial director for grocery to drive the development of its retailtainment concept.
His appointment follows the departure of Safeway's commercial director for fresh and frozen foods, Gillian Barker, who left to join Caravan as director general last month.
Barker's role has been split between Curtis and Peter Barton, who became commercial director for produce, meat and bakery in September.
Curtis, who has been appointed commercial director, worked for WHSmith for the past two years, joining from Tesco where he was global food trading director. Before that he managed Tesco's trading operations in Hungary and the development of its hypermarket business there. His other Tesco appointments included trading director, managing UK bakery, impulse grocery and foodservice after moving from Tesco's petrol business. He was instrumental in establishing its Tesco Express format.
Curtis said of his new job: "When I saw the concept stores that Safeway is building, I knew I had to be part of a new generation of retailing.
"Safeway offered me the role with a remit to invest in retailtainment, the next frontier in grocery retailing.
"I learned at WHSmith that customers are happier if their senses are stimulated, if their imagination is awakened."
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His appointment follows the departure of Safeway's commercial director for fresh and frozen foods, Gillian Barker, who left to join Caravan as director general last month.
Barker's role has been split between Curtis and Peter Barton, who became commercial director for produce, meat and bakery in September.
Curtis, who has been appointed commercial director, worked for WHSmith for the past two years, joining from Tesco where he was global food trading director. Before that he managed Tesco's trading operations in Hungary and the development of its hypermarket business there. His other Tesco appointments included trading director, managing UK bakery, impulse grocery and foodservice after moving from Tesco's petrol business. He was instrumental in establishing its Tesco Express format.
Curtis said of his new job: "When I saw the concept stores that Safeway is building, I knew I had to be part of a new generation of retailing.
"Safeway offered me the role with a remit to invest in retailtainment, the next frontier in grocery retailing.
"I learned at WHSmith that customers are happier if their senses are stimulated, if their imagination is awakened."
{{JOBS & CAREERS }}
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