Staff boost for Netto as shoppers increase
SUPERMARKET chain Netto is planning to open a minimum of 20 new stores over the next 12 months as it aims to build on increased customer numbers.
The chain, which has its UK headquarters in South Elmsall in West Yorkshire, said it saw a record number of shoppers visit its 182 stores last year, with customers up 12.4% from 2006.
Netto, the Danish company which is known for offering cut price goods, said more than 11 million people visited its stores in December, as it saw increased sales in the run up to the festive season.
Richard Lancaster, managing director of Netto in the UK: “This tangible growth in customer numbers proves that UK consumers are increasingly receptive to our unrivalled combination of price, quality and choice.
“More and more people are discovering that Netto is changing but our focus on price and quality remains constant. Christmas provided us with the ideal opportunity to show shoppers that they didn't need to 'trade up' to other supermarkets to purchase their festive treats. We extended our range of premium own label products from mince pies and Christmas puddings to luxury crackers, all of which proved hugely popular.”
Netto said it sold a record 1.8 million mince pies in the run up to Christmas, over half a million of which were its own label Cake Collection Luxury Deep Filled Mince Pies. The chain also sold double the number of Turkey Crowns it did at Christmas 2006.
Meanwhile, Netto has appointed a new store operations director, Paul Newby, and non-food business unit controller, Damian Ingle, to strengthen its senior management team.
Mr Newby, 45, will oversee the continued development of 'store standards' in Netto's stores, while Mr Ingle is set to focus on enhancing all aspects of the company's non-food offering.
Newby began his career at Frank Dee Supermarkets in the North East which was acquired by Gateway and subsequently Somerfield. Following a spell at Asda, Mr Newby joined Jacksons in 1992 to help launch the Jacksons Convenience Stores business. As regional manager, he was responsible for 75 stores. Jacksons was acquired by J Sainsbury in 2004.
Mr Newby said: “I wanted a new challenge and Netto is experiencing exciting times. Having worked with Netto managing director Richard Lancaster at Sainsbury's, it was an easy decision to make the move.”
Mr Ingle, 36, will be heading up Netto's non-food buying team with a focus on driving sales and building on already strong relationships with key suppliers in both the Far East and the UK.
Mr Ingle said: “Netto has an incredibly loyal customer base and it's my aim to improve, enhance and innovate our non-food offer across the board. I'm looking to introduce new and exciting product lines alongside some of our hugely popular own label ranges.”
Netto's UK stores support centre is based in Pontefract with facilities of more than 300,000 sq ft which include customer care, training and recruitment departments.
There are presently more than 1,000 Netto stores across Denmark, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the UK.
