Home Retail Group appoints Managing Director for Habitat

Home Retail has appointed a managing director for Habitat, the furniture brand it acquired in June, Retail Week can reveal.

Home Retail’s director of strategic development Clare Askem has been appointed as managing director of Habitat, which comprises three flagship stores in London’s Tottenham Court Road, King’s Road and Finchley Road, and the Habitat website.

The Habitat brand will also be sold in Home Retail’s DIY business Homebase, and potentially its sister chain Argos, although this is unconfirmed.

Home Retail chief executive Terry Duddy said: “Habitat, with its strong style-led heritage, is an important part of the Home Retail portfolio of brands.

“Clare has extensive retail and marketing experience and under her leadership we will continue to build the iconic Habitat brand, and in due course leverage it appropriately across the group.”

The rest of the Habitat business collapsed into administration in June, with all stores outside of London closing.

Separately, Homebase has launched a painter and decorator service as well as launching a revamped store format in its Aylesbury store.

Source: Nicola Harrison - Retail Week
www.retail-week.com/careers/home-retail-appoints-managing-director-for-habitat/5029057.article