Dive Brief:
- Lowe's named retail veteran Seemantini Godbole its CIO, effective Nov. 12, the company announced Friday.
- Godbole serves as Target's senior vice president of digital and marketing technology and was a leader in the company's digital transformation, according to the announcement. She is credited with re-architecting Target's digital platforms, implementing agile methodologies and introducing customer-facing technologies, like mobile apps.
- During Godbole's time at Target, she helped implement programs like online ordering and in-store pick up and ship-from-store solutions, guest order fulfillment, digital wallet, localized pricing and customer loyalty and engagement arrangements, according to the announcement. Prior to Target, she spent 15 years at American Airlines, Sabre and Travelocity.
Dive Insight:
Godbole fills the CIO role after the home improvement company quietly announced its vacancy during a Q2 FY18 earnings call. In the last year Lowe's has been restructuring its C-suite with retail veterans.
The company, just other retailers, is having to put more emphasis on e-commerce and a digital customer experience. Lowe's has to accommodate the everyday DIY customers as well as professionals who rely on their products and services.
As of the Q2 FY18 earnings call, the company revealed it's behind on supply chain strategy and in-store technology modernization. Lowe's is hoping to redirect its replenishment and inventory strategy as part of a "multi-year plan" that involves fresher technologies and the CIO.
In December, Lowe's began its push toward a "digital evolution" to "drive a holistic integrated strategy" by onboarding Vikram Singh as the company's first chief digital officer. He previously worked at eBay, PayPal and Amazon, all digital commerce platforms.
In May, the company hired Marvin Ellison as its CEO following his departure from J.C. Penney Company, where he served as chairman and CEO. Ellison is credited with implementing a "turnaround strategy" to better J.C. Penney's balance sheets, productivity and operations.
Ellison worked 12-years at Lowe's competitor, The Home Depot, to improve customer services and operations. But in early July, the company announced more leadership restructuring with its chief customer officer, chief operating officer and chief financial officer set to depart.
Lowe's is looking to upgrade its cybersecurity infrastructure and optimize data analytics, but Ellison also has his eyes set on focusing "on retail fundamentals," which includes modernizing in-store technologies.
