M&S shops at Asda for new womenswear chief
Kate Bostock to join retailer
Marks & Spencer Group has appointed Kate Bostock as director of womenswear, charged with pepping up flagging clothes sales for the high street giant.
Bostock is currently product director of the successful George brand at Asda, where since 2001 she has been responsible for clothing and footwear at the supermarket chain.
In her new role she will report to M&S general merchandise director Vittorio Radice. Steve Longdon, currently M&S director of womenswear, leaves the business at the end of the month.
Radice said: “I’m delighted that Kate is joining us. She has outstanding retail flair and excellent all-round skills across design, buying and merchandising as well as a strong appreciation of technology, product quality and sourcing.
“She also brings unrivalled experience in large-scale retailing. Steve has made an important contribution to the business over the past few years and both Roger and I are very grateful to him for all he has done.”
Bostock said: “I’m very excited to be joining Vittorio and his team. I’ve always admired what Marks & Spencer stands for, particularly its focus on product quality.
“With this new role, I will have the opportunity to help build one of the most compelling womenswear offers on the high street.”
At Asda, Bostock has been responsible for design, buying and technology for George, and oversaw the launch of the standalone George store concept as well as the roll-out of the brand globally through Wal-Mart stores. She was previously product director for childrenswear at Next.
Radice is also strengthening his general merchandise team with a series of other appointments. Jack Paterson take the newly-created position of director of home, Matt Hudson becomes director of lingerie and beauty, and Andrew Skinner becomes director of menswear.
[img r]M&Sspeke3.jpg[/img]Radice’s role at M&S was expanded earlier this year beyond his orginal homeware brief. He is overseeing a revamp of the store chain, which will include a drive to for wider ranges and better display of womenswear in smaller stores.
M&S said last month that its clothing sales fell by 2.5 per cent in the 11 weeks to March 27, and were down by 0.5 per cent across the year. Radice previewed the autumn womeswear ranges to the City earlier this week
