Australian department store promotes GM of online to leadership ranks with remit to better connect physical and digital experiences
David Jones has appointed a new director of omnichannel to its leadership ranks as it works to bring bricks-and-mortar and digital experiences closer together.
The department store giant has promoted Kate Bergin from general manager of online to omnichannel director following the departure of its long-serving retail director, Aaron Faraguna. Bergin has spent the last three years in the online post and was previously David Jones’ head of strategy and the office of the CEO.
Prior to joining David Jones, Bergin was head of retail within the Country Road Group, working across the Mimco brand then Witchery. It was her second stint with Country Road, having previously overseen retail and regional operations for the Country Road and Trenery brands. Her resume also includes a stint with Rodd & Gunn.
A David Jones spokesperson said the group is delighted to confirm Bergin in the newly created omnichannel role.
“We look forward to Kate’s further contribution as we continue to build and enhance a seamless online and instore experience for David Jones customers,” the statement read. “Kate has driven rapid growth at davidjones.com and has significant retail transformation experience in Australian and international markets, both online and in stores.”
According to full-year results posted by David Jones parent company, Woolworths Holdings, David Jones experienced a significant decline in footfall off the back of the Australian bushfires and COVID pandemic, for the full-year to 28 June 2020, with turnover and concession sales down by 17.2 per cent in the second half of the year. David Jones ended the year 6.4 per cent below the prior year.
This was partially offset however by online sales, which grew by 100.7 per cent in H2, contributing 18.4 per cent of total sales across the David Jones business.
Faraguna leaves David Jones after 16 years with the business and is now said to be pursuing a new career opportunity. His time with the department store saw him rise from store manager to regional manager, general manager of operations and then group general manager of retail.
“We thank Aaron for his significant contribution and commitment and wish him well in his future endeavours,” the spokesperson said.
The appointment also comes three months after parent company, Woolworths Holdings, confirmed Scott Fyfe as the new CEO of David Jones. Scott spent four years as CEO of Country Road Group and boasts of more than 20 years of global retail experience including Marks & Spencer in the UK.
Related: How David Jones is using digital assistants to improve customer service
Follow CMO on Twitter: @CMOAustralia, take part in the CMO conversation on LinkedIn: CMO ANZ, follow our regular updates via CMO Australia's Linkedin company page, or join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CMOAustralia.
Welcome to the second episode of Launch Marketing Council’s new series exploring how Australian brands tackle launch marketing in the consumer packaged goods sector.
The most innovative organisations embrace failure. Why? Because it is often through failing the most creative out-of-box thinking happens. And with it comes vital learning opportunities that bring new knowledge and experience into teams.
Conflict is essentially a clash. When between two people, it’s just about always a clash of views or opinions. And when it comes to this type of conflict, more than the misaligned views themselves, what we typically hate the most is our physiological response.
In early 2020, I had the pleasure of staying at the newly opened Fullerton Hotel in Sydney. It was on this trip I first became aware of the Fullerton’s commitment to brand storytelling.
fdgfd www.google.com
Caroline Natalia
How WW shifted physical engagement to virtual success in 5 days
I found decent information in your article. I am impressed with how nicely you described this subject, It is a gainful article for us. Th...
Daniel Hughes
What 1800 Flowers is doing to create a consistent customer communications experience
Extremely informative. One should definitely go through the blog in order to know different aspects of the Retail Business and retail Tec...
Sheetal Kamble
SAP retail chief: Why more retailers need to harness data differently
It's actually a nice and helpful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us informed ...
FIO Homes
How a brand facelift and content strategy turned real estate software, Rockend, around
I find this very strange. The Coles store i shop in still has Flouro lights? T though this would have been the 1st thing they would have ...
Brad
Coles launches new sustainability initiative