Beales merchandise director to leave
Department store group looks for replacement for Tim Rathbone
UK department store group Beales has announced that its merchandise director Tim Rathbone will be leaving the company on August 27.
Beale’s, which in common with other department store operators has been faced with a tough sales environment, said: “Tim has concluded that now is the appropriate time to achieve a better work/life balance for both himself and his family.”
[img r]bealestimrathbone.jpg[/img]Rathbone (pictured) joined Beales in 1983 as merchandise controller, and has been on the board since 1993. The company said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank Tim for his contribution to the business and wish him well for the future.
“In the interim, Tim will be working with colleagues to ensure a smooth transition and we will be appointing a new buying and merchandise director in due course.”
The company said in March that sales were running at 5 per cent below last year, and it expected the remainder of 2004 to remain challenging. A fundamental business review was started in January, with initiatives put in place to boost sales, improve margins and control costs.
