Boots has appointed Asda’s former chief operating officer Anthony Hemmerdinger as retail director.

Anthony Hemmerdinger, Boots

Hemmerdinger will oversee Boots retail operations and store estate

This marks Hemmerdinger’s first retail appointment since he stepped down from Asda last year following the takeover of the grocery chain by the Issa brothers and TDR Capital.

Hemmerdinger had been at the grocery chain for more than six years, culminating in his role as chief operating officer.

In his new post, Hemmerdinger will be tasked with overseeing all of Boots’ retail operations and 2,247-strong store estate.

He will report directly to Boots senior vice-president and managing director Seb James.

Hemmerdinger, who has also held senior posts at Sainsbury’s and Carphone Warehouse, succeeds Boots’ outgoing UK retail director Peter Bowrey.

Bowrey, who joined Boots in 2019, has been appointed vice-president for store operations at Amazon Fresh.

In his new role, which he will take up in 2023, Bowrey will lead all US store operations for Amazon’s burgeoning grocery division. 

  • Never miss a story – sign up for Retail Week’s breaking news alerts