Simbe takes wraps off advisory board including Bennett Morgan and Marybeth Hays

Simbe, whose Store Intelligence platform includes the Tally autonomous shelf-scanning robot, has announced the formation of its strategic advisory board.

In a LinkedIn post, Caitlin Allen, SVP of Market at Simbe, said: “For decades, retail has relied on three data sources: supply chain, Point of Sale, and consumer engagement. But none of those capture what happens where shoppers make purchase decisions: the shelf.”

“That’s why we're building retail’s fourth pillar of truth: shelf intelligence - the essential data infrastructure for modern AI initiatives. Our strategic advisory board will help guide this next era and is united by the conviction that digitising the shelf is the foundation of the intelligent retail operating model.”

Members of the board include:

Anne Mezzenga: CEO and Co-founder and OmniTalk; board member and former Target executive who led the Store of the Future project.

Bennett Morgan: BCG Senior Advisor; former exec at SpartanNash, Amazon, Walmart, and H-E-B.

Bob Hardester: Former CIO and Chief Supply Chain Officer at Schnucks Markets and Express Scripts.

Bruce Burrows: Former CIO at Sobeys and Loblaw.

Marybeth Hays: Board member and former EVP at Walmart U.S. Consumables & Health, with senior roles at Sam’s Club, Lowe’s, and Walmart China.

Sean Spillane: Former SVP of Strategy & Real Estate at Stop & Shop; previously spent 20 years in Accenture’s retail strategy practice.

Simbe has also added David Steck, Schnucks’ former VP of IT Store & Emerging Technology, as Expert in Residence.

Allen added: “The timing couldn’t be better. Capex surged 91% YoY in Q2, with in-store retail technology spend up 151% YoY, underscoring unprecedented investments. Our strategic advisory board knows what it takes to transform operations at scale. Their backing makes one thing clear: digitising the shelf is retail’s future, and Simbe is leading the way.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Shelf intelligence will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.