Woolworths stung by loss of third executive

High street chain Woolworths has been hit by the third top-level exit in three months, with the departure of head of advertising David Root. The store has also just lost advertising and promotions controller Andrew Fryatt.

Root left at the beginning of this month to “take a trip around the world” and Fryatt is leaving to join high street electrical chain Tandy as marketing director. The moves follow the departure of trading controller Kevin McCarten, who left at the end of last year to become marketing director of Sainsbury’s.

Woolworths is in the middle of restructuring its stores into three divisions – local, heartland and city centre – and the chain is about to appoint marketing managers for each.

Tandy created the marketing director’s post to relieve managing director Eamon Bradley of marketing duties. He will concentrate on operations. The 350-strong chain is trying to widen its consumer appeal. It specialises in light electrical goods, but wants to attract more female shoppers. It has recently launched two own-brand electrical ranges: Genexxa and Optimus.