Halfords upbeat despite fall in profits

L Outgoing chief says firm heading into future from strong position

The group is now hunting for a replacement for Mcdonald ahead of her departure in the autumn.

Dennis Millard, chairman of Halfords, said yesterday: “We are grateful for the positive contribution Jill has made across the business and she will leave Halfords with a strong team in place and a clear direction to drive future growth.”

Mcdonald has been leading a turnaround at Halfords that has helped revive flagging sales, although the past year has been blighted by the cost impact of the pound.

Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Nicholas Hyett said: “Jill Mcdonald has grasped what many UK retailers have failed to. In order for bricks & mortar retailers to compete with cheaper online rivals they have tooffersomethingdigitalrivals can’t – face-to-face, hands on service and expertise.

“The ‘Moving Up A Gear’ strategy is primarily about up-skilling the Halfords workforce so that they can deliver that service, and rewarding them appropriately so they don’t disappear with their new found skills.

“However, it’s taken a long time for Halfords to get its act together and we just hope that the group doesn’t lose its way again once Jill Mcdonald has left for pastures new.”