DIYWEEK.net

Best Buy UK online managing director deVere Forster is leaving the electricals chain two months after the launch of its transactional website.
Mr Forster is leaving the retailer to take up a position with Middle Eastern retail chain Alshaya.

A company spokesperson said: "We can confirm that deVere Forster is leaving Best Buy UK to take up a unique opportunity in the Middle East. The role will mean deVere can apply his extensive experience in developing and managing multiple e-commerce brands in multiple countries. We are grateful for his efforts in developing our exciting and differentiating website and his contribution to the overall success of Best Buy in the UK. We are sorry to see deVere go ad wish him every success in the future."

Best Buy UK, which is owned jointly by Carphone Warehouse and US electricals giant Best Buy, currently trades out of six stores in the UK. Its website, which became transactional in September, has extended the retailer's reach and ramped up competition with rivals Currys and PC World.

The site offers all products that are available in store at the same price, free delivery to UK customers and a Reserve & Collect facility. Commenting on Best Buy's third quarter performance last week, Carphone Warehouse chief executive Roger Taylor said the online business had delivered a "strong performance".

In July, Best Buy's ceo for branded operations Paul Antoniadis left the company less than three months after the opening of its first UK store.