Blackwells puts category focus on the agenda

Bookseller Blackwell's has announced two appointments as part of a strategy to implement category management.

Sue Gregory and Paul Foster have been promoted internally, and will be dedicated managers for medical and art stock respectively.

Marketing director Michael Neil said the change would enable Blackwell's to respond more quickly to customer demand, plan promotions more effectively and develop specialist core stock.

Further appointments are planned in other categories, and managers will report to head of commercial Chris Rushby.

A core stock manager will also be appointed, following the move of core stock project manager Caroline Lee, who becomes manager at the Oxford Brookes store.

Gregory was formerly sales manager, while Foster was project manager for arts and posters in Bristol and Edingburgh.