International Private Label Consult (IPLC) has named former Aldi and Co-op executive Paul Stainton as its new UK Partner.
Stainton boasts more than 33 years experience in the buying departments of both retailers, and was the very first buyer to be employed by Aldi UK, joining the discounter in 1989.
At Aldi, he developed private label ranges from scratch across a number of categories, including ambient, frozen, chilled, and non-food.
“Private Label share in the UK has grown from 46.8% to 52.7% in the past eight years," Stainton commented. "As one of the leading countries in private label innovation, the UK offers suppliers tremendous opportunity for growth.
"Having a deep understanding of retailer requirements in private label, I feel my knowledge and experience will be an asset to suppliers. I am delighted to join the IPLC and their team of international consultants."
'Seasoned Professional'
Elsewhere, Koen de Jong, managing partner at IPLC, said that the group was "delighted" to strengthen its office with the appointment of a "seasoned retail professional" such as Stainton.
"The UK is the cradle of private label and virtually all strategic innovations originated in this market over the past few decades. Paul experienced the enormous development up close and developed sustainable relationships with suppliers from all over Europe. We are on the eve of major changes in the market and with a strong presence in the UK we hope to assist our clients even better than before on relevant issues."
© 2021 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Stephen Wynne-Jones. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
