Mothercare woos internet movie man away from Lovefilm in fight for woman-and-baby market

By This Is Money Reporter
Updated: 12:17 BST, 8 February 2012











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The boss of internet movie rental firm Lovefilm has been poached by struggling mum-and-kids retailer Mothercare.

Simon Calver, who has run Amazon-owned Lovefilm for seven years, will join Mothercare as it moves to boost its online presence and faces new store competition from Morrisons-owned rival Kiddicare.

The group, which runs around 350 stores in the UK, has suffered months of declining sales and has placed the UK business under review.












New role: Simon Calver is jumping ship from Lovefilm to Mothercare




Former chief executive Ben Gordon stepped down last November amid a weakening profits outlook and tumbling share price.

Chairman Alan Parker took on executive duties in the interim and will return to his non-executive role when Mr Calver joins the company on April 30.



 


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Mr Calver, 47, who has previously held senior management positions at Riverdeep, Dell, Pepsi and Unilever, said of his appointment: 'While there are near-term challenges ahead, I am committed to the recovery of the UK business and the accelerated growth of these aspirational brands around the world.'

Mr Parker said Mr Calver's 'international perspective will be invaluable' as the business looks to expand Mothercare and Early Learning Centre globally.

Nick Bubb, independent retailing analyst, said the appointment was a 'leftfield' move but added: 'We can see that his e-commerce and branding experience will come in useful in exploiting the Mothercare and Early Learning brands worldwide.'

Stock trend: Mothercare shares have slumped over the past year