#763 Revolutionizing Retail: From Pizza to Piercings with Rohit Kapoor, EVP CIO at Claire's
Today we’re talking to Rohit Kapoor, EVP CIO at Claire's. Rohit shares his journey from Pizza Hut to a Claire’s, all the while pioneering retail technology. Discover the intersection of fashion, tech, and leadership that's shaping the future of shopping. A must-listen for anyone fascinated by innovation and the transformative power of retail.
All of this right here, right now, on the Modern CTO Podcast!
To learn more about Claire's, visit their website here.
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Produced by ProSeries Media.
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About Rohit Kapoor
Rohit Kapoor is a C-Level technology executive with extensive experience in large retail with global reach. As a game-changing leader Rohit understands current and emerging consumer trends and how to design technology solutions to deliver preemptively the right customer experience, especially in dynamic retail markets. Rohit has, time and again, delivered on this mission throughout his illustrious career. Knowing how speed is critical in consumer space, Rohit has been delivering technology solutions that are implemented in quick order followed by planet-scale deployment.
Currently, Rohit is EVP and CIO at Claire’s, a global retailer of accessories, jewelry, and toys primarily aimed toward tween and teen girls, patterned after his string of transformational successes at the coffee giant Starbucks. At Claire’s Rohit saw a unique opportunity to transforming the retail giant’s customer and associate experience through modernizing merchandizing and supply chain, analytics & AI, infrastructure and ERP products, to rapidly expanding the global footprint.
At Starbucks, Rohit served as a part of US Licensee and Canada BU Leadership teams. He spearheaded modernizing store technology to seamlessly integrate its 6,500 licensee stores with 9,000+ NA stores and transform the digital customer and employee experience. This success is now in scaling with implementation in 2200+ license stores and growing rapidly.
As the Claire’s opportunity presented itself, Rohit foresaw parallels in how he had transformed Starbucks’ legacy technology by revamping how its technology teams handled introducing new technology products and services with a plan to liquidating mounting technical debt. He modernized the technology stack and set up the launch of the coveted rewards programs to Licensee business, which alone have led to multi-millions/Yr. in revenue growth momentum. His leadership in Uber Eats and DoorDash partnerships to drive the delivery business was also a breakthrough.
Previously, at Pizza Hut and its Parent YUM Brands (US, Singapore, and India) in a variety of technology leadership roles, Rohit focused on driving digital sales and providing a major revenue lift, rounding out his global leadership skills.
Throughout, Rohit has been a creative, game-changing, market/customer-focused, and entrepreneurial leader. Working collaboratively with business partners and alliances in complex ecosystems he conceived and built innovative technology products and solutions that quickened business growth, while future-proofing the businesses.
About Claire's
For more than 60 years, Claire’s has opened the door to self-discovery for people of all ages. We’re dedicated to encouraging this through each experience and product discovery. As a global brand powerhouse for self-expression, we’re passionate about our purpose and our people.
Trusted by consumers around the world, our Claire’s and Icing brands deliver immersive experiences through more than 2,300 company-operated Claire’s and Icing stores in North America and Europe, more than 300 Claire’s franchise stores primarily in the Middle East and South Africa, and over thousands of concessions globally across our trusted retail partners.
Behind each consumer experience, is a team of truly inspirational people who show up as they are and encourage others to do the same every day. Supporting our team members as they grow, change and reinvent themselves is how we get stronger and more innovative as an organization, creating an inclusive and diverse culture that inspires us all to dream and achieve.