Parfetts Cash & Carry has appointed Andy Whitworth as its new head of customer development. This is a new role for the wholesaler to give a “greater clarity and focus on its retail side of the business”.
Whitworth will be responsible for managing the field-based team and delivering Parfetts commitments to its current 800-plus Go Local Retail Club members and expand its offering to the potential database of over 13,000 live customers. His main focus will be developing the customer/store development programme and delivering on retail club compliance and retail execution.
Following a strategic review of the current Retail Club format and store development programme, the long-term objective will be to develop the Go Local Retail Club into the best within the industry and develop a supplier collaboration programme that delivers value for Parfetts, its retailers and the supplier.
Parfetts has also invested in additional resources for a new customer development team, which will include Paul Rodwell as customer development manager and 12 retail development advisors comprising of two field-based personnel at each depot.
Whitworth is well positioned to take on the role having over 18 years wholesale experience, including 14 with Parfetts. He began his career at Parfetts as operations manager at its Halifax depot when it was bought by Parfetts in 1998, before being promoted to deputy general manager in 2002 and two years later general manager. In 2010 Whitworth was seconded for 16 months to manage Parfetts Local 4 U retail estate before returning to be general manager at Halifax.
Previous to joining Parfetts Whitworth has also worked for Asda, Morrisons with his first job as a ‘Saturday lad’ on the deli at Asda, Preston.
Whitworth said: “I have had over 18 years experience in the wholesale sector, as well as managing the Parfetts Local 4 U retail estate so this new position is the ideal opportunity to provide a more cohesive wholesale to retail experience having seen both sides of the equation.
“Customer development has always been integral to Parfetts success and we have seen Go Local grow 127% since 2007 alone. This new role will only enhance the offering to our retailers. The new customer development team will compliment and strengthen the relationships our depots have with our customers and build on the loyal customer following Parfetts has.
“Managing a retail club of over 800 independent stores with 800 independent views and channeling these into a single format that all agree on will be challenging but I believe we have the right proposition in place to face this head on. We have a lot of exciting plans to unveil over the next few months, which will strengthen Parfetts position within the industry as the leading wholesaler for independent retailing.”
Source: Parfetts
