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Ralph Lauren Hires Levi’s Exec as New CTO

Posted on by darion

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Brief description of the dive:

  • Ralph Lauren welcomed Christopher Conrad to its leadership team this week as the company’s chief digital and technology officer. Conrad replaces Janet Sherlock, who will retire in September.
  • Conrad previously served as SVP and CIO at Levi Strauss & Co. for seven years. A retail industry veteran, Conrad also held technology leadership positions at Billabong, Lululemon and American Eagle.
  • “Chris brings a wealth of experience that will undoubtedly ensure our digital journey continues into the future, with a focus on improving the consumer experience,” said Sherlock, who joined the company in 2017. LinkedIn post.

Diving Insight:

This a wave of mid-year tech executive appointments is moving forward. Retailers, including Gap AND Macy’sare changing their technological leadership to initiate modernization.

The industry is largely moving toward better customer and employee experiences, streamlined operations, and greater visibility through technological improvements. Retailers and consumer packaged goods companies are investing in data and AI more than any other industry, according to January Databricks Report.

Sherlock highlighted Ralph Lauren’s recent AI efforts as a point of pride in her retirement message. The company has leveraged AI and ML capabilities to optimize inventory, forecast and engage consumers. Ralph Lauren executives said teams have also begun incorporating the technology into text editing, graphics and computer programming last year.

“We focus on what we can control,” the former said. CFO and current COO Jane Nielsen said during the company’s Q3 2024 earnings call in February. Leveraging big data and AI is part of that, Nielsen said.

Ralph Lauren’s May earnings report revenues increased slightlyalthough the company has predicted earnings declines on the horizon. Ralph Lauren is also adjusting to Nielsen’s departure as CFO in May and ultimately COO at the end of fiscal 2025. Analysts are calling her tenure a tough act to follow, Fashion Dive previously reported.