LONDON (August 29, 2000) -- The WorldWide Retail Exchange (WWRE),
the world's leading retail e-marketplace, today announced the
appointment of Colin Dyer as its chief executive officer, effective
Sept. 1, 2000.
Dyer joins the WWRE from Courtaulds Textiles plc, where he served
most recently as the company's chief executive. Courtaulds Textiles
plc is an international clothing and fabric company operating
in 17 countries and employing more than 20,000 people.
In his new role, Dyer will oversee the development of the WWRE's
collaborative e-commerce platform, and build and sustain the organization's
commercial and operating structure. In his capacity as chief executive,
Dyer will also serve on the Board of the Exchange.
"Colin brings an ideal mix of strategic and operational credentials
for leading the WorldWide Retail Exchange," said David B. Rickard,
chairman of the Operating Committee of the WorldWide Retail Exchange
and executive vice president and chief financial officer of CVS/pharmacy
(NYSE: CVS). "He has proven international management expertise,
extensive experience in managing global supply chain challenges,
and a clear vision of the role technology will play in transforming
retailing for the benefit of retailers, suppliers and ultimately
consumers." Gary Michael, chairman and chief executive officer
of Albertson's (NYSE: ABS), said Dyer, in his leadership role
at Courtaulds, demonstrated an ability to make smart decisions
and implement them quickly. "Colin is an action-oriented leader
who will help the Exchange continue on its quick path to operations,"
said Michael.
David Norgrove, chairman, Marks & Spencer Ventures, (LSE: MKS)
said Dyer proved particularly adept at focusing an organization
on the needs of its customers. "Under Colin's leadership, Courtaulds
built a strong, productive and mutually beneficial relationship
with Marks & Spencer. The member companies of the Exchange can
look forward to the benefits his sharp focus on customer needs
will generate for them."
Appointed chief executive of Courtaulds in 1996, Dyer led a broad
reorganization program, lowering the cost base of the business,
and a series of strategic acquisitions for the company. Sara Lee
Corp. purchased Courtaulds in April 2000.
Dyer joined Courtaulds in 1982 as managing director of retail
chains and from 1987, he served as division director for private-label
products. In 1990 he was promoted to the board of Courtaulds Textiles
plc, and was a divisional director responsible for clothing business.
He is also a Director of Northern Foods, a major food supplier
to the British Retail sector.
Dyer started his career at McKinsey and Company in Amsterdam.
Dyer holds an MBA from INSEAD in Fountainbleau, France. He earned
his BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College, London.
The WWRE is a Web-based business-to-business exchange designed
to facilitate and simplify trading between retailers and more
than 100,000 suppliers, partners and distributors. Consisting
of leading retailers from Africa, Asia, Europe and the United
States, the WWRE is open to all suppliers and retailers who wish
to use it. The WWRE currently includes members who have combined
sales of more than U.S. $537 billion or Euro 592 billion.
WWRE membership includes: Albertson's (U.S., NYSE: ABS), Auchan
(France), Best Buy (U.S., NYSE: BBY), The Boots Company (U.K.,
LSE: BOOT.L), Casino (France, ParisBourse: 12558), CVS/pharmacy
(U.S., NYSE: CVS), Dansk Supermarked (Denmark), Dairy Farm International
(Hong Kong, LSE: DFI), Delhaize Group (Belgium, BSE: DEL), Dixons
Group plc (U.K., LSE: DXNS), Edeka (Germany), El Corte Ingles
(Spain), Gap Inc. (U.S., NYSE: GPS), J.C. Penney (U.S., NYSE:
JCP), Jusco (Japan, TSE: 8267), Kesko (Finland, HEX: KES), Kingfisher
(U.K., LSE: KGF), Kmart Corporation (U.S., NYSE: KM), Longs Drugs
(U.S., NYSE: LDG), Marks & Spencer (U.K., LSE: MKS), Publix Super
Markets (U.S.), Rite Aid Corporation (U.S., NYSE, PSE: RAD), Royal
Ahold (The Netherlands, NYSE: AHO), Safeway Inc. (U.S., NYSE:
SWY), Safeway plc (U.K., LSE: SFW.L), Seibu Department Stores
Ltd. (Japan), Supervalu Inc. (U.S., NYSE: SVU), Target Corporation
(U.S., NYSE: TGT), Tesco (U.K., LSE: TSC.OL), Walgreen Co. (U.S.,
NYSE: WAG), Woolworths (Australia, ASX: WOW) and Wooltru Ltd.
(South Africa, JSE: WLO).
Media Contacts:
Helen Craft (Europe)
Shandwick International
44.207.950.2871
hcraft@shandwick.com
Teresa McFarland (U.S.)
Shandwick International
952.346.6198
tmcfarla@shandwick.com
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