Kulvinder Birring (pictured left) has been appointed CEO of A.S. Watson-owned beauty retailer Marionnaud Group, effective April 2024.
Birring will manage Marionnaud’s portfolio, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison Holdings, which includes more than 730 O+O (offline-plus-online) stores in eight European markets.
His responsibilities include enhancing the customer experience and driving the brand’s growth strategy in the competitive luxury retail market.
Birring previously worked as CEO of health and beauty chain Watsons in China for eight years, where he transformed the business into a leading retailer in the region.
Dominic Lai, Group MD of AS Watson Group and Executive Director of CK Hutchison, said Birring’s track record made him the perfect person to lead Marionnaud.
“He has successfully repositioned the Watsons brand as the top retailer in our category nationwide with a portfolio of more than 3,800 O+O stores,” Lai commented.
“He has led the organisation through a remarkable cultural transformation, fostering a scientific, collaborative, agile and growth-oriented mindset.
“I look forward to him bringing his experience to lead the growth strategy in our luxury perfumeries and cosmetics retail brand Marionnaud in Europe.”
Gabriele Betti (pictured right), currently MD of Marionnaud France, Italy and Central Europe, has also been promoted to Deputy CEO of Marionnaud Group.
He will work alongside Kulvinder to drive forward the business.
Betti has worked for Marionnaud for 16 years, with experience in management roles covering supply chain, technology and commercial.
“[Betti] has demonstrated strong customer-focused management and places customers and people at the heart of the company,” said Lai.
“He successfully led the digital transformation of integrating O+O capabilities to further strengthen the customer experience.”