Tesco has promoted Kari Daniels to become CEO of its Irish business. She succeeds Andrew Yaxley following his appointment earlier this month as group chief product officer.
16 year career at Tesco
Kari Daniels joined Tesco in 2002 and since 2015 has been commercial director for packaged products in the UK. Her role was expanded in 2017 to include responsibility for the Food Technical Team, the Group Sustainable Packaging Plan and UK Health Plan. Daniels has previously held a number of other roles at Tesco including category director in health & beauty, director of brand, and UK general merchandise and clothing marketing director. She joined Tesco from Superdrug where she was head of commercial for beauty.
Kari Daniels has also been a regular speaker at IGD Tesco Business Updates.
“Outstanding leadership”
In her new role Daniels will report to Tesco UK and Ireland CEO, Jason Tarry and join the UK leadership team. Commenting on her promotion, Tarry said “Kari has shown outstanding leadership and delivered improved performance in the products under her remit and is the very best person to lead Tesco Ireland forward.”
Encouraging growth at Tesco Ireland
In recent quarters Tesco Ireland has outperformed the UK as customers have responded positively to more competitive pricing. Key here has been the launch of the ‘Tesco 800’, 800 branded and private label products from across its range on which Tesco pledges its prices will not be more expensive than competitors. This stronger price positioning helped to lift Q1 reached like-for-like growth to 3.0%, despite store closures in March caused by adverse weather. Looking ahead, sales will be boosted by the opening of Tesco’s largest store in Ireland (in late May in Liffey Valley) and by activity to mark Clubcard’s 21st birthday, including Tesco’s first ever Clubcard Day.
