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NEW YORK — Lynn Marmer of Kroger Co., Gary Profit of Walmart and Sona Chawla of Walgreen Co. are among the executives named to the list of "25 People Shaping Retail’s Future."
Lynn Marmer of Kroger Co., Gary Profit of Walmart and Sona Chawla of Walgreen Co. are among the executives named to the list of "25 People Shaping Retail’s Future."
The list was compiled by the NRF Foundation, the nonprofit arm of the National Retail Federation.
The honorees, who were recognized at the foundation’s recent inaugural gala, include Sen. Richard Durbin (D., Ill.) and teenage fashion designer Isabella Rose Taylor, as well as a number of retail executives.
"The list is about recognizing the power players, disruptors, givers, influencers and dreamers who are changing the face of retail — many doing so behind the scenes," said NRF senior vice president and foundation executive director Ellen Davis. "Unlike in any other industry, people interact with retail every single day, and these 25 individuals are making today’s innovative, customer-centric and unique shopping experiences possible, collectively making up one of the most impressive groups of professionals in retail."
Marmer, group vice president of corporate affairs at Kroger, was recognized as a "giver" for developing the Perishable Donations Partnership, which empowers associates to identify meat, produce, dairy and bakery items that can no longer be sold but remain safe, fresh and nutritious and can be put to use by food banks.
"With one in six Americans unsure of where their next meal will come from, Kroger’s No. 1 priority is to support organizations that bring food and hope to our neighbors in need," Marmer said.
Another "giver" on the list is Profit, a retired U.S. Army brigadier general who joined Walmart in 2008 as senior director of military programs. On Memorial Day 2013, he set about delivering on the retailer’s commitment to hire 100,000 veterans by 2018. To date, Walmart has hired more than 70,000 veterans. And last year the Walmart Foundation delivered — a year early — on a five-year, $10 million commitment to support veteran employment and transition, and committed another $20 million to ensure the support continues through 2019.
Retail jobs can provide real benefits for veterans, Profit says. "Once [a veteran gets] in the door, the advancement opportunities are endless."
Chawla, president of digital and chief marketing officer at Walgreens, made the list as a "power player," someone who has revolutionized virtually every aspect of the customer experience at the drug chain. She believes shifts in customer behavior and rapid technological change are creating a landscape ripe for further retail innovation.
"Driven by continuous connectivity, multiple devices and access to limitless information, consumers will raise the bar for content, product quality and innovation, service and fulfillment," she said. "Customers are in charge."
