Co-op seeks marketer for own-label initiative

The Co-operative Retail Service is believed to be hunting for a marketing director as part of an effort to expand its non-food division and introduce own-label.

A trial has already begun in 55 of its Living and Homeworld department stores for an own-label electrical brand called Harwood.

The company is expected to make a decision in the new year on whether to roll out the Harwood name through its electrical division. CRS will also review its entire own-label ranges and look at the possibility of rolling out the non-food division, own-label brands.

The Living stores carry an own-label range of womens’ tights, called the Living Collection, while Homeworld has its own brand of bedlinen.

It is understood CRS is seeking a head of marketing and a head of buying to work in the non-food division, reporting to a divisional chief executive. The current CRS non-food manager is Mike O’Brien; Mike Conroy is head of marketing in the non-food division.

The new head of marketing will be given a 6m marketing budget and be part of team responsible for enhancing the company’s image.

CRS would not comment on the appointments.