Coop Denmark has announced a series of organisational changes, including the appointment of Allan Kristoffersen as the executive vice president of Kvickly, SuperBrugsen and Dagli'Brugsen.
The newly-created role will help the retailer strengthen Coop's management, as well as other retail chains operating under the company.
Torben B Andersen, who has served as chain director for Dagli'Brugsen and in recent months as chain director for Kvickly, has been named the chain director of Kvickly.
Sales director of Dagli'Brugsen, Henrik Svendsen, will step in as Andersen's replacement until a suitable candidate is appointed, the retailer added.
Elsewhere, the company has named Jesper Gottschalck Jensen as the chain director for SuperBrugsen.
He served as the sales director of SuperBrugsen and recently took up the role of acting chain director of the banner.
Organisational Changes
Coop Denmark has also decided to create 40 new positions across its retail banners and cut about 70 jobs in its head office.
The move will help the retailer in decentralising its operations and focus on addressing the demands of customers.
CEO Kræn Østergård Nielsen, commented, "Unfortunately, we have to say goodbye to very skilled and committed employees. [It is necessary that we use fewer resources in the hinterland and dedicate more resources closer to the customers.]
"With major challenges facing the entire grocery trade, we at Coop are investing massively in better customer experiences, green conversion and new technology that can strengthen the customers' experience when they shop with us."
The company has decided to transfer the management of companies outside the retailer's core business to Coop Invest A / S. These include FDB Møbler, African Coffee Roasters in Kenya, and Coop Folkeskove.
The current executive vice president of Coop Denmark, Jan Madsen, has been appointed as the CEO of Coop Invest.
He will also act as the CEO of the group's new software company Lobyco A / S, which sells digital solutions to other international retail companies.
Executive vice president Jens Visholm, responsible for procurement, marketing and CSR, will head the new customers and communications department and continue as an executive board member.
Other Changes
Coop Denmark added that the director of Irma, Søren Steffensen, has stepped down.
Commercial manager Rikke Wolff will serve as his replacement until the appointment of a suitable candidate.
The company has also created the position of digital and e-commerce director and appointed Morten Viktor to the role.
Per Thau joined the company's executive board as executive vice president (COO) on 1 December.
A former Dagrofa and Unilever executive, Thau will be responsible for purchasing, product range and logistics.
Carl-Johan Vang Christensen replaces Nicolaj Boysen as the new supply chain director, Coop added.
Executive vice president Stina Glavind and HR director Jens Romundstad have stepped down from their respective positions, Coop added.
© 2020 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Dayeeta Das. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: European Supermarket Magazine.
