"The big challenge in retail is to achieve uniformity in stores."
José María Folache, who will assume the position of CEO in Suárez in August, accompanied the PADEM students at a management lunch
Photo /Manager José María Folache accompanied the students of the Advanced Program in Fashion Business Management (PADEM).
10 | 05 | 2021
The executive José María Folache accompanied the students of the Advanced Program in Fashion Business Management (PADEM) during one of their executive lunches and shared with them experiences and other aspects of his professional career. In particular, he reviewed his latest professional career as CEO of the Portuguese company Parfois.
Although he declared himself to be a "lover of the physical store", he admitted that these have an added difficulty and that for Folache "the great challenge is to achieve uniformity in the stores". Nor did he downplay the importance of the online channel, which accounts for 6% of the company's sales, and which is in full growth: "In the last year we had to multiply by 6 the digital team".
Long history in retail
Folache has spent his entire professional career in the retail sector. In 1986, he joined the French group Promodès, owner of the Continente hypermarket chain, as general purchasing manager. During his time with the company, he was in charge of the Promodès-Carrefour merger.
In 2009 he joined El Corte Inglés as deputy director of purchasing, a position he held for 3 years. Before his time at the Portuguese Parfois, Folache led the expansion of Tous, as CEO of the firm. His next challenge includes his return to the jewelry sector as, in August, he will assume the position of general manager of the Suárez firm and CEO of the group.