David Jones has created a new technology team to build out its omnichannel experience under the leadership of its new chief technology officer, Hugh Fahy.
Fahy was appointed as the retailer’s CTO this past August after leaving his role at AGL Energy.
In the role Fahy oversees all of the department stores’ technology-related matters, reporting directly to chief executive, Scott Fyfe.
Following Fahy’s appointment, the Australia department store has now set out to establish a newly formed technology function to boost its omnichannel and customer experiences across the retailer.
The move coincides with David Jones’ official departure from the South African retail group, Woolworths Holdings (WHL), this past March [pdf].
WHL bought David Jones in 2014 and also fully acquired Country Road Group (CRG), responsible for brands such as Mimco, Trenery and Witchery, the same year.
Since being sold to a private equity firm, David Jones is continuing a major strategic refresh via its ‘Vision 2025+’ approach, aimed at focusing on digital capabilities and investing in and transforming technology.
The vision is also focused on building out its customer base, creating a smooth service experience, leveraging employee skills and “being an omnichannel curator of world-class brands” [pdf].
Fahy told iTnews that “following David Jones’ separation from CRG, a new team is required to operate and evolve David Jones’ retail technology.
“This includes warehouse operations and supply chain, as well as in-store and online operations”.
He said that “as systems are separated, David Jones’ technology [function] will take carriage of these systems and a new team will operate and then evolve these systems.”
Fahy said to support the Vision 2025+ strategy, “the newly formed team is taking over existing systems and developing an exciting technology strategy.”
“Where possible, David Jones is expediting that strategy; recently deploying Snowflake and Braze technologies to accelerate David Jones’ ambitious marketing plans including the launch of David Jones’ newly launched retail media business David Jones Amplify.”
Launched in early August this year, the standalone retail media business is aiming to become the top media ecosystem and to give “advertisers access to more than 475 instore formats, 102 digital formats and 70 print and digital editorial formats” [pdf].
Fahy added three appointments have already been made, with Priscilla Chan and former Ferocia head of product and technology Meera Aneez both joining David Jones as heads of technology in June.
More recently, Ognjen Babic commenced at the company, to lead its technology infrastructure, architecture, merchandise and supply chain solutions, according to David Jones.
Fahy said all three are “building teams to architect, evolve and operate David Jones’ technology respectively.”