Emma Nichols leaves Oddbins

Oddbins’ head buyer, Emma Nichols, has left after nearly a decade with the company.

Her role has been filled by buyer Ana Sapungiu, according to a statement from the UK wine retailer.

Nichols had played a prominent role at the business before leaving in 2008 for a spell at Constellation Brands.

She returned to the retailer as head of buying in 2011 when 37 Oddbins stores were saved from administration by European Food Brokers.

As the drinks business reported at the time, Nichols streamlined the range and focused on giving each shop greater flexibility when it came to ordering wines, a system it was hoped would give each store more of an “independent” feel.

She said at the time that it was important to, “bring individual character to each store”.

As db also reported, she cut the range from 900 to just 400 wines (admitting many had never been on shelf or even in stock at the same time) and focused on the £7 to £13, which Nichols considered to be the chain’s main “strength”.