The Very Group’s CEO steps down: Robbie Feather has been named Group CEO of the Very Group, a dominant player in the e-commerce industry. Lionel Desclée, who had previously decided to stand down and pursue new chances, will be succeeded by Feather. Joining the firm in September 2022 following an impressive time as CEO of Walmart Japan, Feather brings a plethora of knowledge to his new job as Retail Managing Director.

Feather has been an integral part of the retail division for three fruitful years, during which time he has been promoted to the position of head of the division and has been responsible for group trading, marketing, merchandising, category sourcing, and purchasing. Very UK’s remarkable 2.7% year-on-year sales increase, topping £1 billion, and a praiseworthy uptick in total online market share are exemplary examples of the exceptional retail performance and flourishing new brand platform that the company observed under his leadership.

Interestingly, Feather oversaw a spectacular turnaround as CEO of the esteemed department store chain Fenwick before he joined The Very Group. During his tenure there, he modernized the traditional retail brand and led its successful transition into the digital sphere. Among his many accomplishments is a tenure as Commercial Director at Sainsbury’s-owned Argos, one of the many stops in his varied career.

While Desclée’s future plans are a closely guarded secret, he left The Very Group having achieved remarkable things, such as improved customer service and a more engaged workforce, as well as strong financial outcomes. He oversaw the company’s tech transformation, which led to its best net promoter score to date and the adoption of cloud infrastructure, search functionalities powered by artificial intelligence (AI), and partnerships with industry heavyweights like Amazon Web Services (AWS) to fuel innovation.

Feather has a strong grasp of the business landscape and a history of driving transformation and growth, which Desclée cites as proof of his capacity to guide the company towards further success. The remarks were mirrored by Chairman Aidan Barclay, who praised Feather as a remarkable retail leader who is well-positioned to steer The Very Group into its future growth.

The Very Group sees Feather’s appointment as a strategic decision that will help them take advantage of possibilities in the ever-changing e-commerce market, strengthen their dedication to providing exceptional customer service, and drive long-term growth. Everyone is watching The Very Group closely as it begins this next phase under Feather’s guidance.