Glasgow-based wholesaler Filshill has made two new appointments as part of an investment in category management for its KeyStore retailers.
Iain Main has joined the business as its first Category Range Planner having worked with food retailers for over 20 years. He started his career with Safeway, and has also worked for Somerfield and the Co-op.
Prior to taking up the new role at Filshill, Main spent nearly six years as a space planner with Trespass, the outdoor clothing retailer.
Craig Brown, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at JW Filshill, commented: “We’re working more closely than ever before with our KeyStore customers to ensure that we have the most effective category management plans in place for them – we know it’s not always a ‘one size fits all’ approach so it’s all about really understanding their businesses.
“Iain comes to Filshill with vast experience in range and space planning at a time when the convenience retail marketplace has never been more competitive – that’s why it’s crucial that we build planograms designed to help customers grow their businesses.
Main added: “Filshill is a dynamic and forward-thinking company and I have joined the company at a time when it is experiencing excellent growth and a high profile for its fast-growing KeyStore convenience brand.
“We are building planograms for every category and as well as setting up systems to enable us to plan and review each category, I am also working with Filshill’s experienced buyers and have input into decisions on range based on my knowledge of customers and their stores.”
Meanwhile, Rory Galbraith, a newcomer to the wholesale industry, has joined Filshill as a Category Buyer having spent three years at bus builder Alexander Dennis in various positions, including commodity buyer and commercial contract manager. He also worked at TGK Logistics as a delivery specialist prior to joining Filshill.
Brown commented: “As our business grows and we prepare to move into our new premises near Glasgow Airport in the coming weeks, we are ramping up resources across the board including our buying team.
“It’s a pleasure to welcome Rory to the Filshill family to work with our teams to stimulate growth and increase the profitability of both our business and our customers’ businesses in a competitive marketplace.”
Filshill saw its turnover soar 23% to £191m in the year ending 31 January 2021.
NAM Implications:
- A focused application of truly objective category management has to be a basis for success in the current climate.
- Suppliers therefore have an opportunity via these category management plans…
- …in terms of identifying their role and optimising their strengths from the independent point-of-view.
