While a number of symbol group managers turned heads when they became retailers last year, this month sees a retailer go the other way, with John Murray taking on the role of Head of Retail at Wick-based Sutherland Brothers.
Factfile
- John Murray is a retailer in the Highlands.
- He has owned a number of stores across various fascias.
- He currently owns Nisa Dornoch and has recently taken on the role of Head of Retail at Sutherland Brothers.
This new role marks a big departure for you – what brought it on?
I fancied a change is, I suppose, the simple answer. I’ve been through 15 shops now in a sparsely populated area and I’ve run out of options. That’s not to say there aren’t options out there, but the way I work, of building a store up and selling, it was time for something new.
So you’re completely moving from the retailer side then?
Not completely. I’ve still got my Nisa store in Dornoch. There’s a manager in place there and that shop will continue to operate while I’m in my role with Sutherland.
How did the job come about?
I did some consultancy for the firm a couple of years ago and it went well. I couldn’t commit to them at that time, but when this opportunity came up I was able to go for it.
What will you be doing in the role?
My remit as Head of Retail will be to put a symbol package together to offer retailers in the north of Scotland. We operate in an area where people and retailers are thin on the ground so there will be a focus on local and on family values. I want to create a family feel to the business that drips through to suppliers, retailers and the company.
What’s the plan for this year?
We will be focussing on our core customers and what is the right offer for each of them. We can’t be hung up on each store being exactly the same. Do retailers really want a standardised package from their symbol group? At some point we’ll also consider introducing a franchise model for the symbol group.
And how will you go about this?
I’ll be doing a lot of travelling to visit and speak to our customers. I’ll be working very closely with Sutherland Bros. to bring my retail experience to the business. They are a company keen to embrace change. I’ve been very impressed with what they’re doing on the technology front, from trackers on their delivery lorries to a new open source IT system.
Are you looking forward to the challenge?
I’m getting really excited about it. I worked in wholesaling a long time ago, and I’ve also got my HGV licence so I do have some experience on this side. With this role I’m going to look at things from the consumer’s perspective and work backwards. What is it that they’re after? From there, we’ll look at what the retailer wants, and then the suppliers, and us. Landmark is a bigger firm than I thought – and we hope to be a leader rather than a follower.
Finally, we hear you were shocked to read that you were a ‘veteran’ retailer?
There I was, reading last month’s SLR and I saw myself quoted as a veteran retailer. I took pelters for it. I think I’m more suited to the term ‘experienced’. Thank you very much.
