Scottish independent chain David Sands has poached Him! director Ewen Chisholm as part of a major expansion plan that could double the size of the business.
Chisholm will join next month as chief operating officer overseeing the day-to-day running of the business. His appointment will free up MD David Sands to look for acquisition targets and develop growth strategies. Sands becomes chief executive when Chisholm joins on 1 September.
The current trading environment in Scotland, which has been hit by tough new licensing legislation and potential restrictions on the display of tobacco products, could result in many independents leaving, creating an opportunity to buy stores. The company owns 26 stores but its 26,000 sq ft warehouse in Kinross has the capacity to supply 50.
“Finding good viable sites that fit in with our style of trading remains challenging but we are ideally placed to cope with additional stores,” said Sands. “Growth is dependent on suitable stores becoming available or purchasing land to build brand new stores but I expect our portfolio to reach 30 in the not-too-distant future.”
Chisholm is currently client director at consultancy Him! In his 18 months there he has worked with retailers and suppliers such as Spar, Warburtons, BP, Budgens, Müller and David Sands.
“Having worked with convenience chains across the UK in the past year and examined best practice, I hope to look at ways of incorporating some of those ‘best-in-class’ ideas into David Sands,” he said.
Prior to joining Him! Chisholm spent 16 years at Spar Scotland retailer and wholesaler CJ Lang & Son.
As part of the shake-up of the David Sands management team, director Stephen Brown will take on a new role as development and distribution director.
Chisholm will join next month as chief operating officer overseeing the day-to-day running of the business. His appointment will free up MD David Sands to look for acquisition targets and develop growth strategies. Sands becomes chief executive when Chisholm joins on 1 September.
The current trading environment in Scotland, which has been hit by tough new licensing legislation and potential restrictions on the display of tobacco products, could result in many independents leaving, creating an opportunity to buy stores. The company owns 26 stores but its 26,000 sq ft warehouse in Kinross has the capacity to supply 50.
“Finding good viable sites that fit in with our style of trading remains challenging but we are ideally placed to cope with additional stores,” said Sands. “Growth is dependent on suitable stores becoming available or purchasing land to build brand new stores but I expect our portfolio to reach 30 in the not-too-distant future.”
Chisholm is currently client director at consultancy Him! In his 18 months there he has worked with retailers and suppliers such as Spar, Warburtons, BP, Budgens, Müller and David Sands.
“Having worked with convenience chains across the UK in the past year and examined best practice, I hope to look at ways of incorporating some of those ‘best-in-class’ ideas into David Sands,” he said.
Prior to joining Him! Chisholm spent 16 years at Spar Scotland retailer and wholesaler CJ Lang & Son.
As part of the shake-up of the David Sands management team, director Stephen Brown will take on a new role as development and distribution director.
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