Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Former Nisa chief Michael Fletcher appointed SPAR UK managing director

Michael Fletcher

Michael Fletcher

SPAR UK has announced the appointment of Michael Fletcher as its new managing director.

Fletcher spent 22 years at Tesco plc, where he held numerous senior commercial roles in the UK, Ireland and Asia. He joined Co-op Retail in 2013 where he held the position of chief commercial officer before moving on to become CEO of Nisa Wholesale, a role he held until 2022.


Since leaving Nisa, Fletcher has taken on several non-executive director and board advisory roles. He is also the founder and chief executive of Sleet Brush Limited, where he focuses on designing and implementing innovative solutions to complex retail and wholesale challenges.

“Michael has outstanding credentials in commercial, retail and FMCG sectors, with experience across various trading environments,” Nick Bunker, non-executive chair, SPAR Food Distributors Ltd, said.

“His professional capabilities and high standards consistently drive excellent business performance and operational resilience. We are delighted with his appointment and look forward his lasting and positive contribution to the SPAR business.”

Fletcher added: “SPAR is a globally recognised and respected brand, and I am thrilled to join the team. I look forward to supporting the ongoing strengthening and development of the SPAR proposition in the UK.”

Fletcher will take up the role on 22 November.

More for you

Shoppers Navigate Birmingham’s New Street as UK Consumer Confidence Drops.

UK consumer confidence drops 2025

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Retailers' challenges intensify as consumer confidence drops to new low

Consumer confidence in the UK economy has taken another hit, with expectations reaching a new low, states the latest industry data, ringing alarm bells ahead of upcoming hikes scheduled in April on multiple fronts.

While households are also gloomier about their own personal finances, retailers are also facing mounting challenges, with rising operational costs and potential hiring freezes on the horizon.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office Horizon scandal victims criticise £40M Fujitsu contract extension

A general view of the Warrington offices of technology company Fujitsu in Warrington, England

(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)

Horizon victims outraged by Post Office granting '£40m' contract renewal to Fujitsu

Post Office Horizon scandal victims have slammed Post Office for paying "£40 million" to extend its contract with Fujitsu to continue using the controversial Horizon IT software, as revealed in a recent report.

At least 900 subpostmasters and subpostmistresses were wrongly prosecuted for apparent financial shortfalls caused by faults in the accounting software, in what has been described as one of the UK’s biggest miscarriages of justice.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tango Cherry Sugar Free
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – TANGO CHERRY SUGAR FREE
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – TANGO CHERRY SUGAR FREE

Back by popular demand – Tango Cherry Sugar Free

Last year, Tango brought back fan favourite, Tango Cherry Sugar Free, to answer demand from loyal Tango fans and to create some buzz in the chiller. Flavour innovation is fundamental in keeping shoppers engaged with the fruit flavoured carbonates category and Cherry flavoured drinks are now worth over £45m and growing 54.2 per cent vs last year. Following the success of Tango Mango Sugar Free and Tango Apple Sugar Free over the last few years, the new Cherry flavour aims to pack a similar punch and help retailers attract both Gen-Z and families to try the delicious new flavour.

To support retailers and help them make it a success in-store, Tango activated a branded takeover with two retailers, complete with free stock and merch giveaways outside of the store. The activity aimed to encourage footfall and drive trial of the product, including a branded gazebo, a Tango Cherry can cart for sampling, and a Tango Cherry-grabber where consumers could win a selection of Tango-inspired prizes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Retail sales in January 2025

Retail sales in January 2025

iStock image

Retail sales surge in January despite stormy weather

January sales kicked off a solid month for retail with stores delivering their strongest growth in almost two years, shows industry report released today (11).

According to retail body British Retail Consortium (BRC), UK total retail sales increased by 2.6 per cent year on year in January, against a growth of 1.2 per cent in January 2024. This was above the 3-month average growth of 1.1 per cent and above the 12-month average growth of 0.8 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less