IT'S ALL ABOUT DELIGHTING THE CUSTOMER.

CEO MARK RONAN CREDITS THE SUCCESS OF ADAIRS RETAIL GROUP TO EXCEPTIONAL PRODUCTS, KNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICE AND A ONE-TEAM PHILOSOPHY.

- JULIE COOPER

IN FOCUS

NAME: Mark Ronan

COMPANY: Adairs Retail Group

POSITION: CEO

LOCATION: Melbourne, Australia

There’s an old African proverb that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Boasting more than a century in business, it’s clear what path Adairs Retail Group has chosen. Founded in 1918 on Chapel Street in the Melbourne suburb of Prahran, Adairs has transformed from a humble, family-owned chain to a leading, specialty omnichannel retailer of homewares and furnishings. It has more than 160 stores spread across Australia and New Zealand, delighting customers with on-trend fashion products, quality staples, superior customer service and strong value. And CEO Mark Ronan credits the beloved retailer’s far-reaching success to “working together”.

“No one individual delivers an amazing business,” he says. “Our strength lies in great retailing and great product, none of which can be delivered by one person alone. Ultimately, your success is driven by the people around you.”

Mark has been with Adairs for more than a decade, working his way up from Finance Manager to Merchandise Planning Manager, Head of Retail Operations and COO before finally stepping into his current position as CEO in 2016. Throughout his time with the company, it became abundantly clear to him that being a leader is about more than the business; it’s about developing the team.