Scalpers has strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Francisco Gutiérrez as the fashion brand’s new deputy CEO, the company said in a statement.
Francisco Gutiérrez, new deputy CEO of Scalpers – Scalpers
In this role, Gutiérrez will report directly to the brand’s chairman, Borja Vázquez, and to the CEO, Alfonso Vivancos, and will assume responsibility for the operational and strategic management of the company.
As such, Gutiérrez will take overall responsibility for Scalpers’ operational and strategic management, with the aim of accelerating its international growth and cementing its position as one of the leading brands in the affordable premium segment.
This newly created role reflects the organisation’s natural evolution and professionalisation, enabling the chairman and executive leadership to focus on the overarching strategic priorities of expansion and corporate development.
Gutiérrez began his career in the fashion industry in 2012, when he moved to London to work at Pull&Bear (Inditex). A year later, he joined the brand’s headquarters in Ferrol, where he held various roles within the digital division.
In 2019, he joined Scalpers to lead e-commerce and marketing, taking on the dual role of chief digital officer (CDO) and chief marketing officer (CMO). Since his arrival, he has become one of the main drivers of the brand’s digital transformation and consolidation, the company said.
Under his leadership, the online channel increased its turnover tenfold, from 4.5 million to 45 million euros between 2019 and 2024, and has been established as one of the company’s strategic growth pillars.
The brand’s chairman, Borja Vázquez, emphasised that with this appointment Scalpers reinforces its “commitment to innovation, professionalisation and sustainable growth.” “His leadership and vision will be key to consolidating the project in the coming years,” he said.
This appointment forms part of the implementation of the company’s 2025-2030 strategic plan, designed by Gutiérrez himself and recently approved by the board of directors. This plan sets out the company’s roadmap for the next five years and is structured around three main pillars: elevating and repositioning the brand in the “premium bridge” segment, the growth of the womenswear line as a driver of expansion, and the internationalisation of Scalpers, with a focus on southern Europe and entry into the U.S. market before 2030.
“It is an honour to take on this new responsibility and to be able to lead the future of Scalpers in such an exciting phase. I face this challenge with the conviction that we have a brand with enormous international potential, an exceptional team and a clear vision to continue growing in a sustainable and distinctive way,” said Gutiérrez.
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The newest ‘next-generation’ Frasers department store has opened at Queensgate Peterborough in the heart of the city.
Frasers Group
Spanning 60,000 sq ft across two floors, it brings together Frasers Group brands including Flannels, Sports Direct, USC, and Jack Wills under one roof.
The new destination “offers an elevated retail experience, providing access to the world’s most aspirational premium, lifestyle and sports brands”, across women’s, men’s, and kidswear, Frasers Group said.
It includes a dedicated 5,000 sq ft Flannels store, providing the Queensgate catchment “with the best in luxury and contemporary fashion, footwear, and accessories”.
This includes an extensive range of globally-recognised labels including Boss, Coach, Levi’s, Biba, Tommy Hilifger, Barbour, alongside sports brands under its Sports Direct banner, including Adidas, Nike, The North Face, Under Armour, New Balance, Everlast, Slazenger, Karrimor and USA Pro.
Ed Ginn, director of Investment Management for Queensgate operator Invesco Real Estate, said: “Frasers Group’s opening is the start of an exciting new chapter, and marks significant progress in our efforts to maintain Queensgate as a leading retail and leisure destination in the region and in the UK more widely.
“[The Frasers] addition… to the centre raises the bar for potential investment from brands to further enhance the shopping experience, as we continue to evolve Queensgate in a way that provides our catchment with everything they could need or want, in one place.”
Businessman Gerald Ratner has launched a surprise bid to buy the UK arm of the jewellery empire he famously trashed more than three decades ago after calling some products of his signature brand Ratners ‘total crap’.
Image: Ernest Jones
The businessman is seeking to acquire the British H Samuel and Ernest Jones chains from US-listed Signet Jewellers and install himself as chairman after he lost control of the businesses in the early 1990s, reported The Daily Telegraph.
Ratner has appealed to shareholders of the company as part of a bid to purchase the loss-making UK arm, which he said he has been “pursuing since the summer”.
The brands were once part of Ratners Group, the firm that he was forced to exit after he jokingly declared a few of its cheaper products were “total crap” in a speech at the Institute of Directors 30 years ago.
Ratner also remarked that some of the firm’s earrings were “cheaper than a prawn sandwich at Marks & Spencer – but I have to say, the sandwich will probably last longer than the earrings”.
The ensuing negative reaction from consumers and the wider business community gave rise to the phrase ‘to do a Ratner’ or destroy a valid business.
Ratner said he was attempting to acquire the UK division of Signet – which was formerly Ratners Group before it was rebranded – because he claimed its American owners were “doing everything wrong”.
The newspaper said that to launch his bid, Ratner has been in touch with Signet’s CEO. He’s understood to be backed by a consortium of primarily-British investors and has said they have the funds lined up.
He’s now launching an appeal directly to the company’s shareholders, who Ratner hopes should question why the US owners do not sell the loss-making division.
He told The Telegraph: “The reason we’re putting pressure on the shareholders is simply because of the fact that they’re doing so badly in the UK, they’re closing shops all the time and last year they sold their best shops.
“So we took the view that they’re not really interested in the UK. We approached them thinking that it’s in the interests of shareholders to just get rid of it.”
Signet is worth more than $3.7 billion (£2.8 billion) with a successful US operation but a loss-making UK division.
Frasers Group is reportedly considering a bid for failed business SilkFred as it continues to focus on acquiring brands that it sees as having growth potential or some unique properties in their business model that it can use in its wider operations.
SilkFred
SilkFred entered administration in October (although it was only officially announced last month) with Quantuma handling the process. The 15-year-old fashion company specialised in connecting womenswear designers and labels with consumers. Its particularly focus was occasionwear and unique pieces from indie brands.
News of Frasers’ (as-yet-unconfirmed) interest is hardly surprising. It continues to be one of the most acquisitive businesses in UK fashion. Only recently it has acquired both Braehead and Swindon Designer Outlet shopping destinations, a majority stake in luxury LA store The Webster, as well as adding to its already large ASOS stake (its 26% holding makes that company’s second-biggest shareholder).
The company hasn’t commented about SilkFred, although it would fit into its strategy of targeting younger consumers at a variety of price levels.
As mentioned, SilkFred went into administration this autumn, although here had been rumours of it struggling or a while.
Its most recent results covered 2023 and showed losses widening as sales fell as much as 46% to just £11.18 million.
Frasers, by contrast, is a giant of the retail sector with its half-year results up to the end of October showing revenue of £2.58 billion and retail trading profit of £411.4 million.