Next poaches Boots digital boss as profits stay on track
Next has swooped for the former Boots director of digital innovation. The Enderby firm will make Kash Mahmood its digital director, according to reports.
Whilst it is unclear what Mahmood’s duties will be at Next, industry experts believe the retailer’s rivals have now caught up with its once-industry leading multichannel capabilities.
Reports say that Mahmood joined Next in the last several weeks. Before that he spent five years at Boots.
He most recently led the Boots BetaLab, which created new digital solutions for the health and beauty retailer.
Mahmood also worked for Boots as director of digital and healthcare, where he led the development of the omnichannel strategy including overseeing the main site, digital healthcare, the loyalty card and analytics.
He joined Boots in 2001 and has also worked for Booz & Co, Accenture and Cap Gemini Ernst & Young.
Meanwhile, Next has lowered its growth forecasts after third quarter sales showed a drop of 3.5% on last year’s figures.
The retailer said it was narrowing its sales guidance to -1.75% to +1.25% compared to its previous range of -2.5% to +2.5% for the full year. The firm said its profit remains unchanged at £805m.
