Bestway brings in Tim Fairs from McColl’s to strengthen retail arm

Bestway has announced the appointment of Tim Fairs as Director of Marketing with responsibility to support planned strategic growth and innovation across the retail arm of the business.

Formerly Customer Director with the McColl’s Retail Group, Fairs has extensive experience in retail, holding positions with major high street brands such as Virgin, Dixons Carphone and Clinton Cards.

At McColl’s he created and mobilised a dynamic brand strategy to lead business transformation, which included the reinforcement of identity, core purpose and customer experience whilst ensuring customer touchpoint and colleague behaviour aligned to the vision.

In his new role with Bestway, Fairs will report into Kenton Burchell, Bestway Group Trading Director, leading the marketing teams cross Bestway’s Retail fascia’s including Best-one, Costcutter, Bargain Booze and Wine Rack.

“Further to our recent acquisition of CSG, the integration of our retail operations is successfully continuing whilst we refine our service and support packages to retailers in order to give them competitive edge anddeliver the best offer in the business” Burchell said.

“Tim’s experience is highly relevant and the timing of his appointment is fortuitous as we look to develop, package and implement marketing strategies that will enable our retailers – across whichever symbol is right for them – to accelerate their growth and remain right at the forefront of independent retail and convenience.

“The future is changing fast and Tim’s knowledge and expertise across digital and e-commerce platforms within the broader marketing mix means that together, we can ensure the right products, the right service and the right supportto our retailers, creating a unique partnership they strongly value”.

Fairs said: “Bestway is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with across the retail and convenience sector and I am delighted to be joining the business at a time when its strategic aspiration is coming alive and its voice is now being heard at the highest level of business and industry.  It’s a progressive and dynamic business.

“Consumer behaviours are changing fast in retail, which means marketing support and business agility is more important than ever as retailers look to adapt their services and products to grow their presence within their local communities.  No longer is independent retail about distress last minute purchases – it is all about innovation, inspiration and being central to their communities.

“I look forward to working with Kenton, and the team at Bestway in order to shape and influence the future of independent retailing in line with Bestway’s values and aspiration”.

Bestway this week has launched a recruitment campaign to attract retailers with what it says is the strongest proposition in independent retail for entrepreneurial retailers.