Department store Myer has secured Darren Wedding as its new chief supply chain officer, jumping into the role from Super Retail Group.
Myer executive chair Olivia Wirth confirmed he will commence his new role in March 2025 in an internal email to all staff today.
Since January 2019, Wedding has been the chief supply chain officer at the ASX-listed owner of Rebel, Macpac, BCF and Supercheap Auto, managing the business’ supply chain and distribution centres for its online businesses and more than 700 stores nationally.
“Darren is a principle-centred leader possessing diverse experience in all facets of Supply Chain Management with more than 30 years’ experience in supply chain and logistics having served in a broad array of industries including military, steel manufacturing, FMCG, pharmaceutical, retail and third-party logistics, with nine of those years based in Asia,” Wirth shared in the email.
The latest appointment follows a raft of leadership changes across Myer’s executive and senior leadership team.
As recently reported by Ragtrader, Myer has shuffled several areas of its leadership team, across departments such as supply chain management, product and merchandising, and information technology.
In the fashion and beauty department specifically, Wirth confirmed that two new roles have been created: general merchandise manager for beauty, accessories and services, and GMM of women’s apparel.
Belinda Slifkas will take interim responsibility for the new women’s apparel role in conjunction with her current portfolio GMM of apparel, home, and entertainment. Wirth said Myer will appoint a GMM of beauty, accessories and services soon.
As a result of these changes, GMM of womenswear, intimates, footwear, accessories and beauty Annabel Talbot will be leaving the business. Wirth thanked Talbot for her contribution.
This comes amid a potential merger between Myer and Premier, with the department store considering taking on Premier Retail's five retail subsidiaries Jay Jays, Just Jeans, Jacqui E, Dotti and Portmans.
The leadership changes also follow a challenging year for the department store, with total sales down 2.9 per cent in FY24 compared to the prior financial year.
Myer’s net profit after tax (NPAT) also fell by around $20 million to positive $52.6 million, with approximately half the decline attributable to the underperformance of its Sass & Bide, Marcs and David Lawrence brand subsidiaries.