Former Tesco exec Tony Hoggett joins Amazon physical stores push
Last year, we reported that Tony Hoggett was stepping down from the role of Tesco Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer to head up Amazon’s international stores arm.
He was set to move to Amazon’s HQ in Seattle, Washington and become Senior VP of Physical Stores, we noted.
In a note to staff, Tesco Chief Executive Ken Murphy wrote: “Tony’s career in Tesco has spanned over 31 years, during which time he has worked in various roles, most recently as Group COO and Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer.”
“Tony has made an incredibly valuable contribution over these years, and I wish him the very best for the future.”
A new chapter
Hoggett starts his new job today.
In a LinkedIn post, dated Friday, 7th January, he said: “Well, today is officially my last day at Tesco. It’s time for me to say farewell to a truly amazing set of work colleagues.”
“I now move onto the next chapter of my professional life and I didn’t want to let it pass without saying thank you. Thank you for your friendship, your support, your wisdom and most of all for allowing me to be part of the team for so long. I’ve loved every minute!”
He concluded: “I wish you all the very best of luck for the future. Hello to the Amazon team, very excited to be working with you all.”
“Time to be a bit more Jack ‘let’s just try it’ Cohen again”
Last year, Rob Mitchell, Product Manager at Tesco Technology, said of Hoggett’s departure: “I’d love to have a chat with Tony over a beer/coffee to understand why he’s made this move.”
He added: “(Physical stores) is a massively interesting and exciting ‘space’ to be in and one which Amazon are clearly driving hard.”
He went on to reference Jack Cohen, the son of Jewish migrants from Poland, who founded Tesco in 1919 when he began to sell war surplus groceries from a market stall in the East End of London.
The name Tesco was born in 1924, the retailer’s first store opened in 1929, in Burnt Oak, Edgware, north London, and the rest, as they say, is history.
“Time for us to step up our game at Tesco and be a bit more Jack ‘let’s just try it’ Cohen again….Well done Tony. I’ll be watching with interest,” Mitchell concluded.
