MatalanDirect.com has appointed Craig Hadley, the former head of buying at Victoria Plum, as their new buying director.

Hadley has experience of working in both the consumer and B2B sectors. He was also part of the team that introduced Aldi to the UK market in the late 1980s. Prior to Victoria Plum, he was the buying manager for plumbing products supplier Globe Union/PJH Group and bathroom/ kitchen supplier and distributor for PJH.

In the new role, Hadley will focus on refining and expanding the product offering for the online home furniture brand. He will also work to ensure that the pricing and range reflects the needs of the Matalan consumer. This will include giving customers the best product experience and looking at information, photography and the customer journey.

Craig Hadley said: “This is an exciting role to take on as MatalanDirect.com has fantastic potential to become one of the leading online home retailers in the UK. With over 12.5 million loyal customers and supported by the powerhouse of Matalan on the high street, the future looks bright for the brand. My previous experience will fit well with the direction MatalanDirect.com is heading in and I look forward to being part of the success story.”

MatalanDirect chief operating officer Andrew Banks added: “As the brand is expanding so rapidly it’s important to make sure that we remain focused on our customer and keeping everything we offer in line with their needs and wants. Craig’s role will be instrumental in making sure that happens.”