Fashion retailer New Look has appointed Mark Matthews as its new Retail Director, tasking him with spearheading the next phase of its omnichannel store transformation. Matthews brings extensive experience from previous senior roles at Co-op, Bonmarché, George at Asda, and Selfridges, and will be responsible for modernising the brand’s store estate across the UK.
Key Takeaways
- Mark Matthews appointed as New Look’s new Retail Director.
- He will lead the implementation of the company’s omnichannel strategy across physical stores.
- Matthews brings nearly 30 years of retail experience from various high-profile brands.
- His appointment follows a period of significant investment and innovation for New Look’s store network and digital offerings.
A New Era for New Look Stores
Mark Matthews’ appointment marks a significant step in New Look’s ongoing strategy to enhance its physical retail presence. He will oversee the entire store estate, focusing on integrating the omnichannel approach to boost sales and elevate the customer experience. This move comes after a successful period for New Look’s store network, with recent concept store launches in Bluewater and Manchester delivering strong double-digit sales growth.
Extensive Retail Expertise
Matthews joins New Look with a wealth of experience, having previously served as Director of Format and Innovation at Co-op. His career also includes senior leadership positions at Bonmarché, George at Asda, Best Buy Europe, and Selfridges, along with a decade at BHS. This diverse background equips him with a deep understanding of retail operations, customer experience, and store modernisation.
Driving Omnichannel Integration
New Look’s CEO, Helen Connolly, expressed her delight at Matthews’ appointment, highlighting his customer-first mindset and industry expertise as crucial for the brand’s future store development. The company has been actively investing in its digital growth, including a £30 million investment earlier this year. This has supported the development of its loyalty app, Club New Look, which has already garnered over 700,000 members, demonstrating the brand’s commitment to a seamless customer journey across all channels.
A Customer-Centric Approach
Matthews himself expressed excitement about joining New Look at this pivotal time, acknowledging the brand’s progress in creating a seamless customer experience. He looks forward to building on this momentum and collaborating with store colleagues and the support centre. His predecessor, Elaine Cartwright, is stepping down after 12 years with the company, having left the retail division in a strong position.
Sources
- New Look appoints Mark Matthews as retail director, Retail Bulletin.
- Retail websites among least accessible for disabled users, report finds, InternetRetailing.
- New Look appoints new retail director to spearhead omnichannel strategy, FashionNetwork – The World’s Fashion Business News.
- New Look appoints ex Bonmarché and Selfridges exec as new Retail Director, TheIndustry.fashion.
