Former Somerfield buyer heads up Gondola

Somerfield’s former head of wine buying, Angela Mount, is to take charge of Gondola Wines.

Mount says she has a “unique opportunity” to develop UK wine retailing with Gondola Wines, which was co-created by the star of TV show Dragon’s Den, Peter Jones, and his business partner Phil Lucas.

Mount has worked as a consultant to the industry since she left Somerfield in 2007, and until now has been working on the Gondola Wines project in a range development capacity.

Speaking of her appointment, Mount said: “Online sales and marketing is the future of wine retailing, and with the infrastructure and logistics platform of Peter Jones’ Phones International Group already established, we have a unique opportunity to develop this channel to market.”

Meanwhile, Lucas believes he and Jones have made the perfect appointment in Mount. He said: “Her experience, knowledge and expertise adds the credibility and reassurance that we need for both suppliers and our customer base.”
 
Gondola Wines, a self-confessed brand-focussed retailer, is hoping to offer a new route to market for brand owners and says it’s looking to provide the online wine shopping environment that mainstream wine consumers are seeking.

“Gondola provides the mainstream wine consumer with a genuine choice, by providing them with the brands they know and trust in an online environment, where range is not limited by shelf space,” added Mount.

Gondola Wines has also appointed Nic Cordingley as online partnerships manager, bringing her online marketing expertise (formerly as head of retail at Affiliates Future) to the retailer.

Jane Parkinson, 19.04.2010