Retailers Pivot to Artificial Intelligence With High-Profile Hires

The shift is marked by high-level talent movement. Target recently appointed Chandhu Nair as its first-ever Chief AI Officer, transitioning him from a senior leadership role at Lowe’s. Nair emphasizes that the technology’s true value will be validated on the retail frontlines rather than in corporate boardrooms. Similarly, Sainsbury’s has brought in James Anstruther, formerly of GSK, to head its new AI Centre of Excellence, focusing on the integration of strategy, governance, and colleague enablement.

Other industry players are mirroring this commitment to specialized oversight. PVH Corp., the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, hired Scott Kenworthy as Senior Director of AI & Innovation, while Nordstrom welcomed Anshu Gupta as Director of Strategic Insights and AI Enablement. Meanwhile, value retailer B&M is actively recruiting a Head of Data & AI to centralize its decision-making processes. Amidst this expansion, lululemon reported the departure of its Chief AI and Technology Officer, Ranju Das, leaving a vacancy in its executive ranks as the company conducts a global search for his successor.