ScS names ex-Holland & Barrett boss Carson as new chief executive

The furniture specialist said Carson will join the business in January 2021 and Knight will stay on for a handover period before departing in July. 

Carson left Holland & Barrett in January, just nine months after being promoted to the role of group managing director. Prior to that, he spent a year as the health and wellness retailer’s managing director in the UK. 

He previously spent more than six years at Argos and its former owner Home Retail Group, and also had stints at Sainsbury’s and Homebase. 

ScS chair Alan Smith said: “Finding a successor to a CEO as capable and long serving as David has not been easy but I believe that, in Steve, we have found an executive with the right mix of experience, skills and personality to take the group forward.

“This early appointment will allow Steve ample time to meet all the ScS team and understand the company’s approach to its customers. On behalf of the board, I warmly welcome Steve to ScS.”

Carson’s appointment was revealed as ScS provided a trading update ahead of its AGM this afternoon.  

The retailer said it has had a “positive start” to its financial year, with like-for-like orders rising 15% in the 17 weeks to November 21.

However, like-for-like orders slumped 65% in the first three weeks of November as the Welsh ‘firebreak’ and a second national lockdown in England decimated trading.   

ScS’ 81 stores across England will remain closed until December 2, but its distribution centres continue to deliver orders to customers.

The retailer cautioned it was “too early to provide clarity on the outlook for the weeks and months ahead”, but said it was “encouraged” by trading patterns it observed during the first lockdown, when it benefited from pent-up demand and increased spending by consumers on home improvements.