Features Retail

Momentum has defined Marco Herrarte’s career long before artificial intelligence became a boardroom mandate. Today, as Information Technology Director for Zubale, he is leading one of the most ambitious AI transformations in Latin American retail logistics. The path to that role began in the disciplined world of systems administration and telecommunications software in Guatemala. Herrarte […]

Jesus de Avila did not arrive at Grupo Nazan with a mandate to chase technology for its own sake. He arrived with a conviction shaped over two decades at OXXO that technology, when anchored in values and business strategy, can fundamentally reshape how an organization competes, serves customers, and sustains relevance. As chief information officer […]

At European Wax Center, Mike Breeze helps the company grow and succeed through strategic technology initiatives. His role as chief information officer places him at the forefront of innovation, where he harnesses his passion for technology advancements to propel the company forward.  Breeze’s approach to leadership is characterized by a unique blend of geeky enthusiasm […]

Walk a mile in his shoes, and Kevin Blanchard will lead you to an ongoing digital transformation.  Now over 18 months in as global chief information officer of the Nashville-based global footwear retailer Genesco, he’s brought several transformative projects to closure, jump-started several others, and is gearing up for the annual long-range planning process, including […]

It’s a term the Grateful Dead used to explain their longevity: misfit power. C. Chris Meystrik nods approvingly when asked whether it’s in the secret sauce of his infotech division at Jewelry Television (JTV). “I like it,” he answers. “At another company, a manager might roll his eyes and say, ‘that guy’s really out there’ […]

W hen Amplify Snack Brands was acquired by Hershey in early 2018, the company’s IT team began integrating with the candy giant’s systems and infrastructure. When this was completed in January 2020, the team had no idea how fortuitous its timing was. “It worked out perfectly for the pandemic,” IT Director Jorge Barroso says. “We […]

Hydraulics straining, the forklift plods a steady course through the warehouse, carrying new inventory to be stored on racks or removing inventory for shipping.  It’s a process seemingly as old as warehouses, but there’s a modern twist. Instead of operating on paper and memory, warehouse operators are relying on technology to help find the correct […]

Managing operations for a successful chain of pizza shops may not be the typical way to become an IT leader, but it’s certainly worked for Scott Stalnaker. Stalnaker, the executive director of IT infrastructure for Donatos Pizza, began his career with the venerable Columbus, Ohio-based pizza chain in 1993 and rose to become a district […]

How do bolts of fabric, hides of leather and sheets of plywood build a career in IT? Those are among the raw materials McCreary Modern of Newton, North Carolina, uses to make the upholstered furniture it ships to retailers throughout the U.S. Tracking those materials and the manufacturing processes is Alan Fisher’s responsibility. As director […]

At the end of 2018, the outlook for Payless ShoeSource, at least in the U.S., was grim. Cornered by online retailers like Zappos and Amazon, it had closed more than 1,000 stores across the country. However, with new executive leadership, its fortunes were beginning to shift in early 2020, says Mario Lozada, who was among […]