Ex-Tesco senior buying manager brings her experience to family-owned specialist
The lure of the greeting card sector has proved too strong for ex-Tesco senior buying manager Sam Ody who has joined the Cardzone group this week.
Two months ago, following a department restructure, Sam posted on LinkedIn how she’d left the Tesco campus that day for the last time, having worked the grocer for almost 16 years – including over four as senior category buying manager for everyday cards and giftwrap.
“I’ve worked with some amazing people, and some fantastic suppliers all over the world, landing some pretty special things in between. I’ll cherish the memories! While I’m sad to bid farewell, I am looking forward to the next chapter,” she wrote.
And her love of cards has proven too much to keep her away for long, as this week she took up newly-created role of head of buying at the family-owned Cardzone group, which now includes Clintons.
Commenting on her new position, Sam told PG Buzz: “I was so determined to stay working in the industry as I love it so much – the people and the products. I’m very excited to be join Paul and James Taylor and the Cardzone team, and to play a part in helping to drive it forward.”
Although Sam only started officially two days ago, 8 July, her appointment was made public at The Retas on Thursday, 4 July, at which she went on stage to draw the charity raffle with her new job title being fanfared to all the guests.
“I think we’ve drawn the lucky winning ticket with Sam now on board as part of our team,” said Cardzone ceo Paul Taylor at The Retas. “We’re delighted that Sam has joined us to help drive our greeting card and gift buying as part of our future plans.”
This news comes just a couple of weeks after trading director James Taylor and his sister and marketing manager Alex Taylor shared how work is underway to dovetail Clintons into the now-enlarged business, following the acquisition in March.
“We want to have a concept that definitely holds on to the traditional key factors of Clintons but also introduces some newness and giftware and different ways of displaying products,” said James, stressing that retaining the Clintons brand is very much part of the big picture, with some current Cardzone branches potentially being rebranded under the well-known name.
More store openings are also part of the plan “because that’s what the High Street needs,” James added.
