Former Oroton boss Sally Macdonald is new boss of Big W
From luxury goods to discount stores: Woolworths has picked ex-Oroton boss Sally Macdonald to head its Big W chain.
Woolworths has appointed highly regarded former Oroton boss Sally Macdonald as the new chief of its struggling Big W discount department store chain.
The appointment fills one key hole in Woolworths’ management after Big W boss Alistair McGeorge left in a hurry in August.
The company (WOW) is still to find a replacement for Grant O’Brien as Woolworths chief executive but chairman Gordon Cairns has now started to narrow down a list of potential candidates.
Ms Macdonald, who ran up-market retailer Oroton for seven years, said she was excited to be leading the team and change program at Big W and its direct-to-consumer business EziBuy.
“Whilst it is a competitive retail landscape, I believe Big W is a great Australian brand that has tremendous scale, represents fantastic value for customers and holds much potential for growth,” she said.
“EziBuy is also a solid platform for further online growth.”
Woolworths chief Mr O’Brien said “We are delighted to announce Sally’s appointment. Sally has a demonstrated track record of successfully transforming retail companies through brand and category development and business simplification.
“Her strong knowledge of retail and consumer branded markets, as well as her online experience, make her the ideal leader for Big W.”
Macdonald ran Oroton from 2006 to 2013 and won high applause from fund managers for her turnaround of the business.
During Ms Macdonald’s reign at Oroton, the company divested three businesses, launched and grew its online offer to a leading position in Australia, and expanded into new product categories and overseas markets, Woolworths said.
She replaces interim Big W head penny Winn.
Big W has in recent months been the subject of takeover speculation, as Woolworths weighs up divestments amid its bid to strengthen its return on assets.
BAML analyst David Errington has called for Woolworths to close Big W to concentrate on the supermarket and liquor business, but the retailer has clearly decided to keep the brand.
Decisions are still to be made over Woolworths’ troubled Masters stores, with moves expected in the new year.
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