Retail Technology Show shines a light on UK’s top 30 industry disruptors and innovators
The top 30 visionaries driving change in retail have been named in the inaugural Disruptors & Innovators 2023 report, brought to you by the good people at Retail Technology Show.
Huel’s CEO, James McMaster, took top spot, followed by Ianina Lucca, depop’s Chief Growth Officer, in second place, and Pete Butler, Co-Founder and CEO at Dishpatch, in third.
The report seeks out the top 30 industry pacesetters who are redefining the retail landscape, from enterprise, Tier 1 retail businesses to disruptive startups, to progressive formats and circular sustainability initiatives.
Those featured in the top ten are:
James McMaster, CEO, Huel
Ianina Lucca, Chief Growth Officer, depop
Pete Butler, Co-Founder & CEO, Dishpatch
Clare Hornby, Founder & CEO, ME+EM
Laura Harricks, Chief Customer Officer, Ocado Retail
Charlotte Morley, Founder & CEO, The Little Loop
Sophie Trueman, MD for UK & Ireland, Too Good to Go
Charlotte Langley, Chief Customer Officer, Bloom & Wild
John Douglas, CTO, Gymshark
Krista Nordlund, Chief Digital Product Officer, Marks & Spencer
McMasters took top spot for shaking up the nutritional food scene at the helm of Huel, the plant-based powdered food business that offers nutritionally complete, convenient, and affordable food with minimal environmental impact.
depop’s Lucca was recognised for her role in delivering digital growth for the circular fashion platform, which lets users sell vintage, pre-loved and second-hand apparel and sneakers to other customers.
Butler, meanwhile, came up with the concept for his retail business during the pandemic, as a way to offer consumers restaurant quality meal kit experiences at home.
It now works with the likes of celebrity chefs including Michel Roux Jr and Ottolenghi as well as fine dining establishments, including Tom Kerridge’s gastropub, The Coach, to bring high end dining to UK doorsteps.
Fashion was one of the leading retail verticals featured within the report, with disruptors and innovators from ME+EM, The Little Loop and Gymshark all included in the top ten.
ME+EM’s Founder & CEO, Clare Hornby, was positioned fourth, having been recognised for her work in carving out space for the brand that offers designer quality basics at mid-range prices within the fashion sector and growing its omnichannel capabilities.
Kids wear rental retailer, The Little Loop, saw its Founder and CEO, Charlotte Morley, placed sixth, for evolving the circular fashion concept that allows brands to generate greater returns via rent versus a single sale.
Gym wear and athleisure brand Gymshark’s CTO, John Douglas, placed ninth, for his role in bolstering the digital capabilities of the pureplay which launched its first physical flagship in Regent Street at the end of last year, helping the retailer post a 54% increase in sales in 2021 compared to 2020.
Matt Bradley, Event Director at Retail Technology Show, which takes place at London Olympia next week, comments: “This is a real ‘who’s who’ of the industry trailblazers from retail and tech who are leading the charge on innovation.”
“These include best in the business examples of the ideas, formats and shopping concepts, as well as the tech powering them, which will shape the future of retail and how consumers shop.”
Register to attend Retail Technology Show here.
Download the Disruptors & Innovators in Retail 2023 report here.
Continue reading…