Space NK has appointed its digital director to the role of chief executive – pointing, perhaps, to the new preeminence of digital within multichannel retailing.
As chief executive, Andy Lightfoot will lead strategy at the multi-brand beauty retailer, ranked Top50 in IRUK Top500 research, across both online and a growing store estate.
Lightfoot joined Space NK in October 2016 as group digital director, and in that role has focused on delivering a robust trading platform. Over the last three years, he has overseen “continuous and substantive” financial growth from digital. But he says that its stores will remain important on high streets at home and across the Atlantic.
“Retail is increasingly competitive, but we are bucking the trend of the high street as we continue to open stores in both the UK and US and deliver ahead of market growth online,” said Lightfoot. “Our unique position as the only multi-brand beauty specialist and our desire to place the customer at the centre of everything we do is the key to our success and must underpin everything we do as we prepare for the next stage of growth.”
In his new role he will report to former chief executive Chris Garek, who moves to the role of executive chairman.
Garek said: “Andy’s drive and determination coupled with his leadership skills in his new role of chief executive will enable Space NK UK and US to demonstrate itself as a leading omnichannel and customer-centric retailer.”
Space NK started with a single shop in London’s Covent Garden in 1993. Now it has 69 stores across the UK and Ireland and 41 in the US. It has also recently expanded to China through a combination of stores and digital.
In its stores, customers can find what Space NK describes as “a finely-honed edit of the most innovative products in the beauty world”, from skincare and cosmetics to gadgets. They come from more than 70 brands, including Eve Lom, Laura Mercier and Nars.
Stores are staffed by trained make-up artists and specialists in skin and hair care who can advise customers on whether products and experiences will be right for their individual needs.
Image courtesy of Space NK
