Former Kalahari.net CEO Gary Hadfield has been appointed as CEO of rival e-tailer Loot.co.za.
Loot founder Michael van Rooyen will maintain his role as MD.
Hadfield, starting his new position today, was CEO of Kalahari.net from 2005 to 2010. The company is now being led by Gary Novitzkas.
Loot says the move is set to alter the local online landscape. Hadfield says his move to the company comes at a time when the online retailer is positioning itself for further growth and expansion.
"Since its inception in 2003, Loot.co.za has recorded significant year-on-year growth and the company is well positioned in the online retail space. I look forward to working with the Loot team to take the e-tailer to the next level,” says Hadfield.
World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck says this move is a sign that online retail is looking particularly healthy in SA.
“It's quite impressive for Loot to attract someone of that level. Clearly their performance and profitability is increasing. Loot is beginning to punch above its former weight.”
Intimate management
Van Rooyen notes that Loot will benefit from the strong management that Hadfield's retail, management and IT skills will bring.
“A strong, competent management team, with a combination of skills, is crucial for the plans that we have with Loot. A number of local retailers continue to increase their investments in the online arena, and we expect to see some major changes in this landscape in the next 12 months.
“[Hadfield] is a pioneer in the local e-commerce realm and his experience, knowledge and insights are what we need to take Loot to the next level.”
Goldstuck says the impact on Kalahari's management won't be great since Hadfield had already left the company, but his new appointment will affect it from a competitive point of view. “Someone intimate with their business model will now be heading up the main opposition.”
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