WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 30, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SPAR Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:SGRP), a leading supplier of retail merchandising, business technology and other marketing services in 10 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Asia Pacific and Africa, today announced the appointment of Christiaan M. Olivier as President and CEO, and a member of its board of directors, effective September 5, 2017. As CEO, Olivier will be responsible for the Company’s global strategy and operations.
Olivier has spent more than 25 years as a retail executive. He has successfully led large global organizations bringing positive transformation in strategy, business development, sales and marketing, operations, and M&A. He most recently served as President of Retail Activation at Diversified Agency Services, Omnicom Group, a $15 billion global marketing services company. Olivier also served as President of Advantage Sales and Marketing, a $1 billion+ consumer products sales and marketing agency; as well as Chief Executive Officer of Smollan Group, a sales and marketing services company with operations in Africa, China, Malaysia and Brazil. Olivier earned a BA and MBA from the University of South Africa.
“I have known and followed SPAR Group for many years and am excited to join the team as President and CEO. SPAR Group has a well-earned reputation of delivering exceptional service and is well-positioned to meet the demands of retailers and consumer packaged goods companies in an ever-changing multi-channel retail environment. I am enthusiastic about the opportunities to build upon the current infrastructure to profitably grow the business and shareholder value,” said Olivier.
Speaking on behalf of SPAR Group's Board of Directors, Mr. Robert Brown, Chairman, said, “After an extensive search, we've selected a leader with a proven track record of success in multiple areas including international business, sales, marketing, operations, technology and M&A. Chris has extensive experience in leading large and complex global organizations, and is a very prominent, and accomplished senior executive, with extensive experience and relationships in the global retail services and solutions industry. We are confident in his ability to lead SPAR’s global mission of being a solutions provider dedicated to helping clients get more out of the store.”
“I want to acknowledge Kori Belzer, who has done a tremendous job since stepping in to fill the President and CEO role in May.” Brown added. SPAR Group’s Chief Operating Officer, Kori Belzer, has served as interim CEO since the company’s previous chief executive, Scott Popaditch, departed in May. “Chris will be a very effective CEO, as well as a great culture fit for SPAR,” said Belzer. “Chris brings deep retail merchandising experience, and strong leadership qualities. I look forward to working with him.”
About SPAR Group
SPAR Group, Inc. is a diversified international merchandising, business technology and marketing services Company and provides a broad array of services worldwide to help companies improve their sales, operating efficiency and profits at retail locations. The Company provides merchandising and other marketing services to manufacturers, distributors and retailers worldwide, primarily in mass merchandiser, office supply, grocery, drug, dollar, independent, convenience, toy, home improvement and electronics stores, as well as providing furniture and other product assembly services, audit services, in-store events, technology services and marketing research. The Company has supplied these project and product services in the United States since certain of its predecessors were formed in 1979 and internationally since the Company acquired its first international subsidiary in Japan in May 2001. Product services include restocking and adding new products, removing spoiled or outdated products, resetting categories "on the shelf" in accordance with client or store schematics, confirming and replacing shelf tags, setting new sale or promotional product displays and advertising, replenishing kiosks, demonstrating or promoting a product, providing in-store event staffing services and providing assembly services in stores, homes and offices. Audit services include price audits, point of sale audits, out of stock audits, intercept surveys and planogram audits. Other merchandising services include whole store or departmental product sets or resets (including new store openings), new product launches, in-store demonstrations, special seasonal or promotional merchandising, focused product support and product recalls. The Company currently does business in 10 countries that encompass approximately 50% of the total world population through its operations in the United States, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Mexico, South Africa and Turkey. For more information, please visit the SPAR Group's website at http://www.sparinc.com.
