Waitrose has announced a strategic internal promotion, appointing Nicola Jones as the new wine trading manager as it anticipates launching new festive wine brands.
- Nicola Jones, with over a decade of experience in Waitrose’s commercial and trading team, will assume her new role on 13 October.
- Jones’s transition joins a series of strategic moves within Waitrose’s Blueprint, Love & Found and No.1 ranges, aiming to enhance product offerings.
- The new appointment comes as Waitrose unveils its first fully chilled beer, wine and spirits department at Finchley Road store.
- Pierpaolo Petrassi, head of beer, wine, and spirits, highlights Jones’s customer focus and expertise as critical for navigating the busy Christmas period.
In a recent strategic move, Waitrose has promoted Nicola Jones to the position of wine trading manager. This appointment is timely, coinciding with Waitrose’s plans to introduce a range of festive wine brands. With a robust 13-year tenure in the upmarket grocer’s commercial and trading team, Jones brings a wealth of experience to her new role, stepping into her responsibilities officially on 13 October. Her previous role as a category manager allowed her to work closely with the Beers, Wines, Spirits, and Soft Drinks team, honing her skills to suit her new challenges.
Jones’s new role is complemented by a dynamic phase of innovation within Waitrose, as the supermarket is preparing to launch new products across its Blueprint, Love & Found, and No.1 ranges. Her appointment is seen as a strategic fit, aligning her passion and expertise with the company’s goals to drive growth and maintain consumer interest through quality and variety. Jones expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “I am truly honoured to join such a talented team of experts in a category that I am deeply passionate about, especially at a time when we have incredible opportunities to drive growth.”
Pierpaolo Petrassi, Waitrose’s master of wine and head of beer, wine, and spirits, endorsed Jones’s appointment enthusiastically. He remarked on her customer-centric approach and comprehensive knowledge of the business as assets that will be crucial in leading Waitrose’s team of talented wine buyers. With the anticipation of the bustling Christmas season, Petrassi noted the importance of innovation and collaboration with trusted suppliers to maintain the high standards Waitrose is known for.
The timing of Jones’s appointment coincides with Waitrose’s recent unveiling of its first fully chilled beer, wine, and spirits department in its modernised Finchley Road store. By expanding its product accessibility and enhancing customer experience, Waitrose continues to assert its position as a leader in the competitive grocery market, leveraging Jones’s expertise to further amplify its offerings.
Nicola Jones’s expertise and strategic insights are poised to enhance Waitrose’s wine trading operations as the company gears up for a festive season.
