Cat Lomax

Majestic Wine has appointed Cat Lomax to the role of head of buying.

Lomax, previously senior buyer for the retailer, takes over the role from Matt Pym, who recently stepped down.

She was the “ideal” candidate, said Majestic buying and merchandising director Richard Weaver. “She has been instrumental over the last year in overseeing our biggest categories, introducing our most successful parcels and WIGIGs [’When it’s gone, it’s gone’ promotions].”

Own-label sales, which currently account for 4.7% of its total sales, were expected to rise under Lomax, Weaver added.

The appointment comes as Majestic said it was “past the tipping point” of its lengthy turnaround, despite slipping into the red with a pre-tax loss of £1.5m on £4.7m profit as of its full-year results last week.