Industry veteran Ken Kaufmann gets onboard with loyalty and retail media specialist NexChapter
NexChapter, an advisory firm focused on loyalty, retail media, and digital transformation for convenience and grocery retailers, has announced the appointment of Ken Kaufmann as VP of its loyalty practice.
Kaufmann brings experience building customer relationships through data driven strategy and technology integration from his senior leadership roles at Ahold USA and Rite Aid.
Art Sebastian, Founder and CEO at NexChapter, comments: "Ken's leadership reflects the growing breadth of our firm and the value we're bringing to retailers and partners across the industry. He is playing a critical role in shaping what's next for NexChapter and our clients."
"I’m excited to share that a team of like minded retail operators with deep experience managing customer, category, channel, and culture across the enterprise," Kaufmann says.
"What makes this team special is how it brings that real-world experience together with a shared drive to help ambitious clients grow. Our work is both practical and innovative, grounded in strategy and operations but strengthened by an informed view of technology. We stay tech neutral yet tech savvy, helping clients make smart choices when technology is part of the mix and guiding implementation when it supports broader growth objectives."
He adds: "My own journey has shown that growth that sticks happens only when retailers think and act across internal silos and in full collaboration with their ecosystem partners. In today’s complex competitive landscape, retailers must balance the realities of their core B2C business with the opportunities of their emerging B2B partnerships. Real progress comes when these two engines of growth are in synch."
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Digital transformation was a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.
We received a record number of entries and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.
For a full rundown of all of the shortlisted entries, click here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC in Central London on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.
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