Fashion retailer Country Road has welcomed a new executive to its board, as it prepares for a challenging six months ahead.
The company, which currently operates 88 concession stores and 68 stand-alone stores in Australia (including Trenery), has announced the appointment of Paula Disberry as a director to the board with immediate effect.
Disberry has over 20 years international retail experience and is also currently the group director of planning and e-commerce for Woolworths Holdings Limited in South Africa.
Country Road chairman, Ian Moir said “Paula's extensive international experience will be of significant benefit to Country Road. We welcome Paula in her new capacity as non-executive director”.
Disberry's recruitment follows a 5.1 per cent sales increase for Country Road, which the retailer achieved for the first half of the 2012 fiscal year despite a tough trading environment.
At the time, Country Road chief executive Howard Goldberg said the company would remain cautious and realistic, and admitted the retail outlook for the next six months was challenging.
“Retail trading conditions have remained difficult as consumers have been cautious with regard to discretionary spend. Despite this, we have reduced our levels of discounting and improved our margins,” he said.
“Our online store continues to grow and we have opened limited new stores, but the retail outlook for the next six months remains challenging. Our expectations on sales remain conservative and we will continue to drive a more efficient business, improving shareholder returns.”