Simbe forms client advisory board including executives from BJ’s, Schnuck Markets and ShopRite
Simbe, a specialist in retail shelf digitisation and store intelligence, has announced the formation of its inaugural client advisory board (CAB). This builds on the company’s strategic advisory board.
“The CAB reflects our belief that the best innovation comes from partnership, not only with Simbe but also with industry peers,” said Benjamin Bond, SVP Strategy & Client Success at Simbe. “This forum ensures Simbe will continue to lead the industry in maximising the value and impact for our clients.”
The board spans half a dozen sectors - from grocery and club, to farm and home improvement - and includes leaders with experience in store operations, technology, supply chain, and automation.
Kim Anderson - VP of Store Operations Support at Schnuck Markets; 40-year Schnucks veteran with leadership roles overseeing operations, workforce, maintenance, and inventory management.
Assia Cloran - District Manager at Country Supplier; 20+ years of retail experience with 12 years at Country Supplier leading multi-store operations, team development, and customer experience.
Nina Dedic - GenAI Product Lead at SPAR ICS; 15+ years of technology leadership with prior roles as CTO at Simplify Hospitality and Head of Core Development at Wüstenrot Technology.
Nick DeSetto - Director of Assets & Loss Prevention at ShopRite Supermarkets; 17-year Wakefern veteran with roles spanning operations, store management, and analytics.
Mandi Dyer - COO of Country Supplier; 20+ years with C-A-L Ranch & Coastal Farm & Ranch leading operations and technology innovation across 50+ stores.
Bruce Hatch - CIO at Harmons Grocery; 20+ years of IT leadership across retail, SaaS, and eCommerce, with expertise in enterprise systems, integrations, and AI driven innovation.
Krystyna Kostka - Chief Supply Chain Officer at BJ’s Wholesale Club; 20+ years of leadership across operations and supply chain, overseeing end-to-end logistics and robotics innovation at BJ’s.
Caroline Krieger - Robotics & Automation Manager at BJ’s Wholesale Club; six years with BJ’s leading robotics pilots, adoption, and process innovation, with earlier finance roles at TJX.
Adrian Salazar - Director of Workforce Management at Schnuck Markets; 18-year Schnucks veteran with leadership roles spanning merchandising, operations, and labour management.
In addition to the CAB, Simbe has also added Thom Blischok as an executive advisor to the CEO and leadership team. A 40-year industry veteran, Blischok previously served as Chief Retail & CPG Strategist at PwC and held senior global roles at Symphony IRI, Equifax, Coopers & Lybrand.
“Retailers and CPG manufacturers are navigating hundreds of new technologies. Some will succeed, and many will not,” says Blischok. “Simbe is a proven, scalable platform with over a decade of performance and adoption. I’m excited to help shape how the industry capitalises on intelligent automation.”
2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS
Automation 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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