Main man Iain bolsters JW Filshill category management

Scottish wholesaler JW Filshill is giving its retailers an even better service after appointing its first dedicated space planner.

The Unitas member has hired Ian Main as category range planner as part of additional investment in category management for KeyStore retailers – further bolstering its impressive service.

Main has worked with food retailers for more than 20 years, starting his career on the Safeway management training programme before spells working with Somerfield and Co-op.

Immediately prior to taking up his new role, Main spent nearly six years as a space planner with Trespass, the outdoor clothing retailer which also owns Nevisport shops.

“We’re working more closely than ever before with our KeyStore customers to ensure that we have the most effective category management plans in place for them – we know it’s not always a ‘one size fits all’ approach so it’s all about really understanding their businesses,” said Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Craig Brown.

“Iain comes to Filshill with vast experience in range and space planning at a time when the convenience retail marketplace has never been more competitive – that’s why it’s crucial that we build planograms designed to help customers grow their businesses.

“We’re delighted to welcome someone of Iain’s calibre to the Filshill family as our first-ever dedicated category range planner – he is working with customers on a one-to-one basis and they are benefiting from his experience and enthusiasm.”

Main is putting his expertise to work straightaway, with a number of new projects to get his teeth into.

“Filshill is a dynamic and forward-thinking company and I have joined the company at a time when it is experiencing excellent growth and a high profile for its fast-growing KeyStore convenience brand,” Main said.

“We are building planograms for every category and as well as setting up systems to enable us to plan and review each category, I am also working with Filshill’s experienced buyers and have input into decisions on range based on my knowledge of customers and their stores.”

Meanwhile, Rory Galbraith, a newcomer to the wholesale industry, has joined Filshill as a category buyer having spent three years at bus builder Alexander Dennis in various positions, including commodity buyer and commercial contract manager.

Craig Brown Iain Main JW Filshill Rory Galbraith wholesaler