The Institute for Software Research
Language Technologies Institute and
The Heinz School Welcome:

Jeffrey R. Smith

Global Managing Director Accenture Retail Practice

Technology and Innovation
in Retail Industry

Thursday, November 8, 2007, 3 pm, NSH 1507

Abstract:
To say the competitive landscape of retail changes rapidly is an
understatement.  Thriving in the retail industry has never been easy,
but the bar has recently been raised by a fragmented, discriminating
consumer base, commoditization of products and a proliferation of
technology.  Power has shifted away from retailers to empowered
consumers who are demanding more tailored offerings, relevant
experiences, and convenient, real-time solutions. The physical and
temporal worlds of retailing have been redefined as the Internet and
mobile solutions make consumption an anytime, anyplace, anyhow
reality.

With trends like Web 2.0, globalization, and multi-channel retailing,
technology and innovation have become increasingly critical for
retailers to connect with their consumers.  Retailers are using
enhanced analytics, processes, and talent to capture, analyze, and act
upon key insights about their target customers and to grow their
businesses.  Jeff Smith, Global Managing Director of the Accenture
Retail practice will highlight research from Accenture’s Customer
Innovation Network on leading companies who have leveraged information
and technology to drive greater customer centricity.

  

Bio:
Jeff Smith is the global managing director of the Accenture Retail
Practice leading more than 3,000 professionals in 37 countries.
Mr. Smith is the global client partner for Wal-Mart, and serves
clients such as Best Buy, China Tobacco, Carrefour, Pao de Acucar,
Nestle, AS Watson, Wolseley, Kraft,  McDonalds, Walgreen’s, Meijer,
SABMiller, Tesco, Starbucks, Media-Saturn and China Resources.  For
British supermarket chain Sainsbury’s, he served on a retail
innovation team for their next-generation store strategy, and recently
led their successful product availability improvement program. 

Mr. Smith oversees the Accenture Customer Innovation Network of
research centers located in Europe, North America and Asia, and is a
regular contributor to thought leadership research initiatives, as
well as client workshops.  As Global Managing Director, he is
responsible for Accenture’s research and investments in retail
industry solutions that enable improved retail business performance,
and chairs the Retail Industry Steering Group that manages Accenture’s
client services to retailers around the world.