Grover appointed Fusion Retail Brands CEO

Former Dymocks CEO Don Grover has been appointed CEO and managing director of Fusion Retail Brands (FRB).

FRB was launched in September 2011 to ‘secur[e] the future of several iconic Australian brands’ following the collapse of the Colorado Group. It operates over 200 retail outlets in Australia under the Diana Ferrari, Jag, Mathers and Williams brands.

FRB chairperson Susan Oliver said Grover had ‘a track record of having successfully managed a vast network of retail outlets across Australia through the most challenging business environment that we have seen in decades’. ‘He has a passion for retailing and for building high-performing teams and organisations,’ she said.

Grover joined Dymocks in 2003, stepping down from the role of CEO in early 2012. He previously held senior positions at David Jones.

Reporting the news, the Australian highlighted Grover’s experience in the book industry. ‘You cannot get tougher than in bookselling, one of the most competitive and controlled retail industry[ies],’ said Grover. ‘As a bookseller, you are operating with one hand tied behind your back. Prices of books are controlled by the publishers and with customers able to buy cheaper books from overseas websites, Dymocks had to compete on value and the whole experience of shopping in a store had to be much better than shopping online. That’s one of the reasons why Dymocks introduced meeting authors in store. You have to look after your customers when they are browsing in the shop.’

Category: Local news