Women in Retail Leadership Circle (WIRLC) and its sister publication, Total Retail, are proud to present its eighth annual list of the Top Women in Retail. This year’s list features a who’s who of top female executives in the retail industry. Below, a select group of honorees share their answers to the question, “What one new retail technology or trend do you believe will have the biggest impact in 2018, and why?” You can download the entire Top Women in Retail 2018 list here. 

“To me, the most important trend in retail goes back to the basics and ‘Retail 101’ of listening to the customer. We put the customer at the center of everything we do, and it’s critical that we understand the evolving how, when and where they want to interact with our brands. Much can be accomplished through the data analytics we now have at our fingertips, as well as the many different touchpoints we have to customers. However, for brands that aren’t simple commodities, retail is fundamentally about human connection and how engagement with our brands makes people feel. For that, there’s no substitute for spending time in stores with customers and associates. Knowing your customer provides you with the insight vital to getting the product, voice and brand experience right and aligned. Intelligent use of data informed by our personal observations and interactions with customers have informed our journey in 2017, and certainly will continue to do so in 2018.” — Fran Horowitz, CEO, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. 

“I believe that RFID is about to cross the threshold of having a huge impact on the retail industry. It’s not a new idea — it’s something the retail industry has been talking about for ages — but we’re now in a position to fully leverage it to our advantage. Recent Levi Strauss & Co. research found that an item being out of stock was the most common purchase barrier for consumers in our stores. By activating RFID technology, we can quickly determine if an item is out of stock on our sales floor, as well as improve inventory accuracy and store in-stocks. We’re excited about the impact that this will have on our customers’ experiences, as well as our financial performance.” — Carrie Ask, Executive Vice President and President, Global Retail, Levi Strauss & Co.

“In 2018 and beyond, I believe there will be an increased focus on optimizing the customer journey and offering a seamless and personalized customer experience across all channels. Retailers that are able to effectively collect and use customer data to create a loyal community, and deliver a more personalized experience whether in-store or online, will make great strides in 2018. This will require a commitment to providing the necessary information and investing in the technology essential for associates to deliver a great brand-right customer experience.” — Paula Bennett, President and CEO, J.Jill