Countdown has announced that Chris Fisher has been appointed as the new General Manager for Merchandise. Fisher, who joined the Countdown team in November 2014, has been responsible for implementing data-driven tools to support Countdown’s Price Down programme and the development of improved ranging and store segmentation.
Countdown’s Acting Managing Director, Pat McEntee says Fisher’s international retail experience and his ability to use analytics make him the ideal person to drive Countdown’s merchandise strategy. “Chris has been instrumental in improving the business’s relationship with data and how we share that data with our supply partners.
“During his career, Chris has managed buying roles for Gillette manufacturing, Lidl discount (Aldi’s largest competitor in Europe) and Asda/Wal-Mart.
“In 2006, he became Director of his own business, specialising in the delivery of leading edge analytics to solve complex retail challenges. During that time, he worked with most of the UK’s major supermarket retailers, as well as many of the leading global FMCG companies.
“It is this depth of experience, along with his passion for putting the customer first, which will ensure that we continue to make Kiwis’ lives a little better and deliver them lower grocery prices every day,” McEntee says.
Fisher says he is looking forward putting all of his experience into helping benefit the lives of Kiwis around the country. “It is critical that we focus on the most important person in our business, the customer. We must ensure that as a business we deliver what is relevant, and this can vary from store to store.”
“I am determined to use all of my experience to work hard alongside our great Merchandise team to ensure that we are improving the lives of Kiwis every day,” Fisher says.
He will take over the role of General Manager Merchandise at the end of October.
