Morrisons digital boss departs amidst flagging fortunes
Struggling supermarket chain Morrison’s bid to belatedly make a move on the burgeoning digital market has taken a knock with reports that the groups digital boss, Simon Harrow, has quit.
Harrow’s departure follows the decision by Morrisons boss Dalton Phillips to jettison the ‘disappointing’ Kiddicare after deeming it ‘no longer strategic’ to the group’s interests.
Harrow cut his teeth at Kiddicare having risen through the ranks of the baby equipment retailer to become its chief operating officer before it was bought out by Morrisons in 2011 as part of efforts to develop its online grocery offer.
A subsequent tie-up with Ocado neutered much of the rationale behind that move however.
Morrison’s has suffered in recent years as it becomes squeezed by the rise of discount stores such as Aldi and Lidl, it has also been slow to respond to changing consumer patterns, particularly in relation to digital and convenience shopping.