Unitas Wholesale has announced Victoria Lockie, former head of retail at Nisa, as its new retail director.

Lockie will bring 12 years’ experience leading the Nisa Retail field team, supporting stores in the UK and Ireland.

She said: “I am really excited to be joining Unitas. The group provides such a vital service to both independent wholesalers and retailers. It’s a tough time for independent retailers at the moment, and the promotions, category advice and value own brand range we have to offer are all vital to help our independent retailers compete in today’s marketplace.”

Lockie is also an ambassador for Diversity in Wholesale, Women in Wholesale, GroceryAid and WiHTL (women in hospitality, travel and leisure) Women to Watch 2024. For many years she has heavily supported ACS’ campaigns and activities, including the recent Shopkind campaign.

The appointment is a part of Unitas’s move to ‘further grow its retail offer and capabilities’, and Lockie will also be involved in the continued development of the Plan for Profit category management scheme, the group’s retail and wholesale promotional programmes, and the roll out of the Local Living own brand range.

Unitas Wholesale managing director John Kinney said: “We are delighted to have Victoria leading the next phase of the implementation of our retail strategy. She is the perfect choice to continue our growth in retail, supporting our members in building an attractive symbol group offering and expanding the reach of their retail clubs.”

Lockie added: “Unitas hosts some of the biggest, best, and importantly entrepreneurial wholesalers and I am looking forward to working with these members, in partnership with our suppliers, to drive our retail agenda forward.”

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