Very news and archive

The Very Group CEO steps down, successor named

British e-tailer The Very Group has promoted its retail managing director Robbie Feather to the role of group chief executive officer as Lionel Desclée steps down. Desclée’s departure comes as the former executive looks to “pursue new opportunities”, the company said in a release, making way for Feather, who will join The Very Group’s board and...

Report

Very Group fashion sales fall, yet retail sales rise elsewhere

The Very Group has reported its trading for the Christmas and Black Friday period, spanning seven weeks to 22 December 2023, during which it saw UK retail sales grow 3.4 percent year-on-year. The performance, which the company said was “consistently ahead of the UK online non-food retail market”, also represented a growth in market share over...

Business

The Very Group to utilise Gen AI to enhance shopping experience

British e-commerce retailer The Very Group has announced the expansion of a collaboration with Amazon Web Services (AWS) that will see it put to use generative artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance and deliver on personalised digital shopping experiences. Through the partnership, the company will launch a new Gen AI Innovation Lab in which it...

Business

The Very Group names new creative partner, The Gate

Online retailer The Very Group has appointed creative agency The Gate as its lead creative partner as it looks to continue revitalising its brand platform. The Gate, which is part of MSQ, will begin working on this task as well as a revived creative approach across the course of this year, through the delivery of creative campaigns for the...

Business

Very to add AI-powered search functions to e-commerce

Online retailer Very has announced a new partnership with US-based tech firm Constructor, which will see the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions into its customer experience. Through the deal, Very will integrate new search, browse and autosuggest tools across its website and app, in order to optimise the product discovery...

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Very expands CFO role to include transformation capacity

The Very Group has announced that its current chief financial officer Ben Fletcher will be taking on the newly formed role of chief finance and transformation officer, effective immediately. In the position, Fletcher will continue to serve as part of the company’s executive team and board, reporting to the group’s CEO Lionel Desclée. Initially...

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Very Christmas sales boosted by beauty and fragrance

British e-tailer Very has reported a 2.2 percent year-over-year increase in retail sales in the seven weeks to December 23, boosted by a 12.7 percent rise in beauty and fragrance sales. Compared to pre-pandemic levels from 2019, sales at Very were up 19.6 percent. On a less bright note, however, fashion and sports sales were down 6.6 percent...

Business

Very introduces virtual make-up try-on to app

E-commerce retailer Very has unveiled a new virtual make-up try-on to its app, allowing shoppers to virtually try an arrangement of lip products from different brands. The feature utilises technology from the L’Oréal-owned tech firm ModiFace, which has integrated augmented reality (AR) features that customers can use via their smartphone...

ManagementFeatured

Very Group posts drop in FY revenue, but pre-tax profits up

The Very Group, which owns brands Very and Littlewoods, has reported a drop in revenue compared to its record period last year. In the year to July 2, group revenue was down 7.3 percent to 2.15 million pounds, while Very revenue fell 4 percent to 1.79 million pounds. However, compared to two years ago, group revenue was up 4.8 percent, while...

Fashion

Very launches value ‘Everyday’ collection amid cost of living crisis

British retailer Very has bolstered its own-brand offering with the launch of a value fashion and home collection called Everyday. The company, which is owned by parent Very Group, said Wednesday the new collection comprises over 700 fashion and homeware products and comes as part of its goal to “offer families even greater value, convenience...

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Very Group taps new chief marketing officer

The Very Group has named Jessica Myers as its new marketing chief, effective October 3. Myers joins the British retail group from Metro Bank, where she served as director of brands and marketing since joining in 2019. Earlier in her career, she worked at Natwest, The Commonwealth Bank of Australia, and American Express in a variety of roles. In...

ManagementFeatured

Very Group taps former Walmart Japan chief as new CEO

The Very Group has named former Walmart Japan executive Lionel Desclée as new group CEO, effective September 19, as current chief Henry Birch steps down after four and a half years in the role. Desclée joins the British retail group from McKinsey & Company, where he spent just under a year as a senior advisor. Before joining McKinsey, he was...