The Hut Group has appointed Richard Chapple as commercial director to drive the company’s ambitious growth plans and push its marketing and product strategy.

Chapple will work across TheHut.com and Zavvi to devise a robust communication strategy that will position the brands as major players in multi-channel retail and entertainment in 2009 and beyond.

With a wealth of experience in the retail, Chapple joins The Hut Group from Play.com, where he spent four years managing the marketing team. Prior to this, Chapple built up significant expertise in bricks and mortar retail, spending four years marketing Carpetright’s European expansion.

Matthew Moulding, CEO at The Hut Group, comments, “Richard has a huge amount of knowledge in retail and marketing, which makes him perfect for the role at The Hut Group. As we look to increase our product ranges and take all of our brands to the next level, I am confident that with Richard’s presence in the team we can achieve our goals.”

Chapple adds, “The Hut Group has the kudos of clients that are household names, as well as two retail sites that will benefit from my expertise to grow into the leading entertainment and leisure retail brands in the UK and beyond. As the group already has great systems, processes and staff in place, we can implement new site functionality like ‘customer wish lists’ and ‘loyalty and referral schemes’, new products from consumer electronics, gifts and toys to clothing, all with much-improved delivery times. We will then inform the millions of consumers about our enhanced service, product offering and choice before and during Christmas 2009 with a multi-million pound marketing campaign. There is real opportunity for this business to grow and I am hugely excited to be involved at a senior level.”

About The Hut Group

Based in Northwich, Cheshire, The Hut Group was established in 2004 by entrepreneurs, Matthew Moulding and John Gallemore.

The Hut Group has two successful retail brands within its portfolio. TheHut.com is a multi-channel retailer offering a variety of home entertainment and lifestyle products, such as DVDs, Blu-ray and CDs, as well as lingerie, cosmetics and sports and leisure equipment.

High street brand Zavvi was acquired by The Hut Group in March 2009 and is now a thriving online-only retailer. The refreshed Zavvi website offers customers a wider choice of entertainment products, with free delivery.

A Sunday Times Tech Track company, The Hut Group is the fastest growing technology company in the North West and is ranked 8th in the UK.

For further information, please visit TheHut.com, Zavvi.com or THG.com or follow us on Twitter: @thehut_com and @zavvionline