Ad chief quits Tesco after announcement of job cuts

Tesco advertising chief Paula Withell is understood to have left the retailer, weeks after Tesco announced that it is conducting a “head-office review” that may result in hundreds of jobs being axed.

Withell, previously brand marketing manager, was promoted to head of advertising three years ago following the retirement of Robin Gray after 32 years in the job (MW May 19, 2005).

It is understood that Withell was reporting to Tesco head of brand communications and trade planning James Condon, brought in from Asda where he was the head of global marketing for George at Asda (MW January 11, 2007).

Meanwhile, Tesco has also shut down its online florist service in a move that observers say will lead to a further shake-up of operations. The retail giant will cease taking orders on its Tesco Flowers site today.

Rivals Asda and Sainsbury’s continue to sell flowers online.

The move to shut down the florist service comes after Tesco halted sales of women’s fashion online last month, less than six months after its launch (MW March 27).

It has been widely reported that Tesco’s food sales inthe UK are rising at the slowest rate, compared to the other big four supermarkets – Sainsbury’s, Asda and