SPAR MD Louise Hoste Announced as New Chair of ACS

September 01, 2021

The Association of Convenience Stores has announced the appointment of SPAR Managing Director Louise Hoste as its new chair from November.

The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) is the voice of more than 33,500 local shops, supporting members through effective lobbying, comprehensive advice and innovative networking opportunities.

Louise Hoste will succeed Central England Co-Operative Chief Executive Debbie Robinson as chair of the board. Debbie has served as chair since November 2019 and will remain on the ACS board.

ACS Chief Executive James Lowman said: “I am delighted to be working with Louise as ACS chair. She has been a key part of ACS activity from the board since she joined in 2019, and she was a unanimous and enthusiastic choice to become chair.”

Louise joined SPAR during September 2019, coming to the business with a wealth of international retail experience.

Louise has worked for Walmart in the UK, Canada and Chile in commercial, customer and general management roles. After leaving Walmart Louise was Director of Category and Pricing at Brakes Foodservice, followed by Director of the Customer Offer at the Co-op.

It was in this role that she relaunched the Co-op brand across the food ranges and worked on the ‘Closer To You’ strategy supporting the local and community agenda.

Louise said: “It really is an honour to be able to support and contribute to all the work that the ACS do, especially as we have seen over the last 18 months how vital the team have been to the sector.

“Local convenience stores have shown how important they are to the communities that we live in. They enhance and enable them to thrive. 

“I want to ensure that we capture the momentum that now exists for local stores, and through using the latest innovations and listening to customers we can provide a relevant and progressive offer for our membership.”

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