Europe’s leading multi-channel retailer of golf equipment and accessories, American Golf, has announced a number of operational developments designed to support its next stage of expansion.
The business, which in June revealed a 25% increase in total sales to £108.1m in its latest filed accounts (to 29 January 2012), is set to implement a strategy which will provide the operational structure and capacity the business needs to support its on-going growth in the UK and internationally.
A new Chief Financial Officer, Stuart Owens, heads a number of new appointments after joining from Harvey’s Furniture as part of a fresh focus at the retailer.
The plan includes centralising and strengthening the firm’s buying function to fully leverage and integrate capabilities across its online platforms and its 90-strong retail estate.
The buying team, which will be located at American Golf’s Retail Support Centre in Warrington, has been strengthened with the appointment of Vicky Farrow who joins from Reebok as Apparel & Footwear Buyer, and Andy Ward as Equipment Buyer, joining from JJB Sports.
The team will be further strengthened with the appointment of Assistant Buyers Rachel Thwaites, from Matalan and Daniel Brooks, who was formally at JJB. The business is also currently recruiting for a commercial Head of Buying role as well as Branch Merchandiser and Merchandiser positions.
American Golf is also bolstering its online and marketing teams as the business looks to increase the 13.5% of sales it currently generates from its online platforms and targets around eight new UK store openings each year.
Pat Foley has been recruited from Best Buy as Head of eCommerce and will oversee the bringing together of the Web Development and Marketing Teams at new London premises in 2013.
The team will be further strengthened with the creation of three new roles – Online Marketing Manager, Web Designer and Customer Relationships Manager.
American Golf is also continuing to execute the integration plan which followed its acquisition of the online golf business in April 2010. Over the next few months this will see a number of operational changes including the centralisation of functions such as HR and Finance at the company’s HQ in Retail Support Centre in Warrington.
In order to effectively increase capacity to support the business growing online sales, the business is planning to transfer its eCommerce warehouse function to third party specialist Clipper Logistic Group’s distribution hub in Worsley, North Manchester. The move could potentially affect a small number of roles at the company’s distribution centre in Harlow, Essex.
Kevin Styles, Chief Executive Officer of American Golf, said: “We’re implementing an enhanced operational structure which will support our long-term growth strategy.
“In addition to integrated capabilities and increased capacity, the developments give us a fresh injection of talent with the skills that will further strengthen our market leading position.”
Americangolf www.americangolf.co.uk