MORE UNWINS' MOVES

Published: 23 July, 2008

Unwins' head of retail, Jon Flegg, along with human resources head Nicola Lawless - sister of joint-managing director Simon Wetz - are the latest to be leaving the beleaguered off-licence chain, along with three regional business development managers, Bob Hearn, Sue Gittings and Ron Street. The company says the changes are in order to focus the business on its core competency of retail'. Following research, Unwins has segmented its estate into two main areas, wine shops (approximately 100 sites) and wine and food shops (300), with the latter recognised as having the most potential to drive the company back into good profitability. * Richard Moriarty, Unwins' marketing and PR manager, has gone to Booker Cash & Carry. * In another retail twist, First Quench has made David McDonnell (wine buyer), Gerald Aldridge (spirits and fortified), Mike Williams (cigarettes) and Katherine Chamberlin (soft drinks) redundant. It is also believed to have cut the lines stocked across the whole estate to a maximum of 450. The company said: This is to bring the department in line with the new structure being put in place in the company's merchandising arm, which sees the buying and merchandising teams working more closely together.'

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