News of Brasher’s promotion comes at a crucial time for the industry. Price competition is intensifying and the Safeway auction has the potential to change the way all food retailers do business in the future.
Analysts say the appointment merely confirms Tesco’s depth of talent. “It’s very Tesco; it has just promoted from within,” said one, “It would have been much more remarkable if Tesco had stepped outside the company as it did when it went for Andrew Higginson. That said, the city would have been unnerved if Tesco got a bloke in from Carrefour, for example.”
But as Asda continues to turn the screw with its EDLP strategy, some industry watchers suggest Brasher will face a tough task when he takes over next year.
Not so, said Tesco’s group director of corporate affairs Lucy Neville-Rolfe. “I disagree. Everyone said we were dead in the water when Wal-Mart arrived. It hasn’t been the case.”
It’s not just City analysts and suppliers who are watching events with interest. Buyers at rival chains also believe the appointment of a marketer, rather than an out-and-out trader, is a
sign of how retailers are having to adapt their strategies to prosper in the new business climate.
“The industry is undergoing significant changes, not only with the ownership battle for Safeway, but also in the dramatic changes in the product and margin mix with an increasing move to a more non-food business,” said one buyer. “These changes, and the evolving nature of the supermarket business, require different skills at different times to provide direction and leadership at board level.”
And most expect Brasher to do things differently. “He will inevitably want to make his mark,” said one buyer, “So it will be an interesting next 12 months for suppliers and retailers.” However, another said simply: “I’m just expecting more of the same.”
John Gildersleeve is man who provokes mixed emotions among suppliers. Hardly surprising for someone who has been such a powerful figure within the Tesco business for the past 19 years.
But even those who talk about his reputation for being blunt and at times aggressive, will agree that Gildersleeve has played a major role in driving Tesco’s strategic direction and, more importantly, its growth.
As one supplier said this week: “He and Terry were a great double act. Terry was happy to leave John to get on with the high profile buying role and he has played a hell of a big part in Tesco’s success.”
Another said he was looking forward to the changes that would inevitably come under Richard Brasher. “Richard is a very different character to John. When John is in full flow you do not take him on. I
certainly won’t be mourning his departure.”
Gildersleeve, now aged 59, joined Tesco in 1963 and worked in a variety of roles including retail, buying and regional md. He was appointed to the board in 1984,
Brasher told The Grocer: “It’s been a privilege to work with John over the years. His position, experience and ability in the industry are unparalleled and I very much look forward to continuing to learn from him until he retires in March.”
Analysts say the appointment merely confirms Tesco’s depth of talent. “It’s very Tesco; it has just promoted from within,” said one, “It would have been much more remarkable if Tesco had stepped outside the company as it did when it went for Andrew Higginson. That said, the city would have been unnerved if Tesco got a bloke in from Carrefour, for example.”
But as Asda continues to turn the screw with its EDLP strategy, some industry watchers suggest Brasher will face a tough task when he takes over next year.
Not so, said Tesco’s group director of corporate affairs Lucy Neville-Rolfe. “I disagree. Everyone said we were dead in the water when Wal-Mart arrived. It hasn’t been the case.”
It’s not just City analysts and suppliers who are watching events with interest. Buyers at rival chains also believe the appointment of a marketer, rather than an out-and-out trader, is a
sign of how retailers are having to adapt their strategies to prosper in the new business climate.
“The industry is undergoing significant changes, not only with the ownership battle for Safeway, but also in the dramatic changes in the product and margin mix with an increasing move to a more non-food business,” said one buyer. “These changes, and the evolving nature of the supermarket business, require different skills at different times to provide direction and leadership at board level.”
And most expect Brasher to do things differently. “He will inevitably want to make his mark,” said one buyer, “So it will be an interesting next 12 months for suppliers and retailers.” However, another said simply: “I’m just expecting more of the same.”
John Gildersleeve is man who provokes mixed emotions among suppliers. Hardly surprising for someone who has been such a powerful figure within the Tesco business for the past 19 years.
But even those who talk about his reputation for being blunt and at times aggressive, will agree that Gildersleeve has played a major role in driving Tesco’s strategic direction and, more importantly, its growth.
As one supplier said this week: “He and Terry were a great double act. Terry was happy to leave John to get on with the high profile buying role and he has played a hell of a big part in Tesco’s success.”
Another said he was looking forward to the changes that would inevitably come under Richard Brasher. “Richard is a very different character to John. When John is in full flow you do not take him on. I
certainly won’t be mourning his departure.”
Gildersleeve, now aged 59, joined Tesco in 1963 and worked in a variety of roles including retail, buying and regional md. He was appointed to the board in 1984,
Brasher told The Grocer: “It’s been a privilege to work with John over the years. His position, experience and ability in the industry are unparalleled and I very much look forward to continuing to learn from him until he retires in March.”
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