Booker restructures retail leadership team to ‘strengthen’ retailer support

Booker has restructured its retail leadership team in a bid to “strengthen” the support it provides to independent symbol group retailers.

The wholesaler has merged divisions to create a new dedicated retail sales team, led by Martyn Parkinson.

Stewart Fenn has been appointed head of retail proposition for the new department. He will be responsible for setting, shaping and evolving the end‑to‑end customer proposition across all of Booker’s symbol groups. Fenn will also oversee the wholesaler’s forecourt offer. 

Booker said the restructure is designed to strengthen the team’s ability to support independent retailers with the most suitable symbol group offer.

Colm Johnson, managing director at Booker Retail, said: “Both Martyn and Stewart have a wealth of experience across Booker and the convenience landscape. These changes will allow us to best support independent retailers across local communities, ensuring they are well set up for success now and in the future.”

In a LinkedIn post, Kent-based retailer Jatinder Sahota said: ”As a Londis retailer of our family business for proudly nearly 40 years at our current site, I have seen many leadership cycles and industry shifts. I do feel confident in the current direction of the brand.

“In my experience, we are in exceptionally safe hands with Colm Johnson as MD. Furthermore, the changes Stewart Fenn has implemented since his appointment as Sales Director have been nothing short of tremendous for us on the ground.

”In what is undeniably a challenging climate for the retail world, the clarity and support provided by this team give me great confidence for the future. It is refreshing to see leadership that truly understands the needs of long-term partners.”

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