As stated by, Asda, the UK supermarket giant, has made senior retail technology appointments as it moves away from its association with Walmart. Rob Barnes, currently the chief technology officer at Marks and Spencer, will join Asda early next year as delivery director. He will be responsible for overseeing the development of Asda’s new strategy and its separation from Walmart. Adrian Berry will also join Asda in the new year as Chief Technology Officer, with responsibility for all core technology teams.
Barnes brings a wealth of experience to his role at Asda. Prior to joining Marks and Spencer, he was managing director of Accenture’s retail technology advisory business. During his tenure there, he managed technology delivery for various clients including Dyson, Clarks, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Best Buy. With his extensive knowledge in retail technology systems and delivery, Barnes is expected to contribute significantly to Asda’s journey towards becoming an independent entity.
Joining Barnes is Adrian Berry who previously served as CIO at Aston Barclay Vehicle Remarketing and UK Group CIO and CTO at Lowell Credit Management. Berry’s role as Chief Technology Officer at Asda will involve overseeing all core technology teams such as service delivery, infrastructure, application engineering, platform teams, and enterprise technology services.
The appointment of these senior retail technology executives reflects Asda’s commitment to building best-in-class retail technology systems during its transition away from Walmart. Carl Dawson, CIO at Asda expressed his delight in welcoming Barnes and Berry to the team. He believes that their combined experience will provide the necessary knowledge and expertise required for this transformation.
In another significant appointment within the retail industry, Decathlon has announced Jimena Almendares as its new Chief Digital Officer (CDO). This move aligns with Decathlon’s ongoing digital transformation efforts aimed at placing technology at the heart of its operations. The retailer aims to provide every customer with a great digital experience, regardless of their touchpoint or location.
Almendares brings with her a wealth of management experience from firms such as Meta and Intuit. At Meta, she led the world’s largest customer service and experience organization, overseeing services for billions of active users across popular apps like FacebookInstagram, and WhatsApp. Her previous roles at Intuit include General Director of the subsidiary Intuit Payments, Director of Quickbooks Mexico, Vice President of Global Expansion, and Vice President of Payments.
Decathlon’s decision to appoint Almendares as CDO reflects its dedication to enhancing its digital offering and ensuring a seamless customer experience across all digital platforms. By placing technology at the center of its operations, Decathlon aims to meet the evolving needs and expectations of its customers in an increasingly digital world.
In a move that highlights the importance of creating immersive retail experiences, EE has opened a new Experience store in Manchester’s Trafford Centre. The store features various “experience zones” and “room suites” designed to give customers a glimpse into the connected living of the future. Former Manchester City player Ellen White joined EE for the store’s opening.
Asif Aziz, retail director at EE, expressed excitement about bringing this new Experience store format to Manchester—a city known for its vibrancy and innovation in technology. The goal is to go beyond traditional telephone stores by catering to different customer interests such as gaming or remote work. EE Guides are available to assist customers with their technology needs and share their expertise.
The opening of this Experience store demonstrates EE’s commitment to providing customers with more than just products; it aims to create an immersive environment where customers can explore and engage with cutting-edge technology. By doing so, EE hopes to enhance the Hypothetically shopping experience for both tech enthusiasts and beginners alike.
These recent appointments within Asda and Decathlon highlight the growing significance of technology in the retail industry. Companies are recognizing that investing in talented individuals with expertise in retail technology is crucial for staying competitive and meeting customer expectations. As the retail landscape continues to evolve, these appointments will likely contribute to the development of innovative solutions and improved digital experiences for customers.
Sources:
– Retail Tech Innovation Hub: Retail Technology Innovation Hub(https://retailtechinnovationhub.com/home/2023/9/22/starring-asda-walmart-and-decathlon-rtihs-biggest-retail-technology-news-stories-of-the-week)
