Kingfisher Group CEO Thierry Garnier: Google sets the pace as AI dominates NRF 2026
Google was everywhere at NRF Retail Big Show in New York this week, and the company is now perceived as leading the AI race with Gemini being the fondation. That was a key event takeaway for Kingfisher Group CEO, Thierry Garnier.
His other key takeaways as follows: Online product content was already critical but is becoming now the absolute urgency; The spirit, the engagement and quality of the teams of Home Depot’s stores. Every associate is a sales person.
In a LinkedIn post, Garnier said: “What a fantastic few days at the NRF Retail Big Show in New York! I am coming back energised with ideas and with people we met. It all started on Sunday morning with a keynote speech from the CEO of Google announcing the Universal Commerce Protocol for AI and e-commerce. Next was a firechat between both CEOs of Walmart and Google.”
He added: “We were altogether a group of 15 colleagues from Kingfisher and had a packed agenda of stores visits (Home Depot, Walmart, Uniqlo, BeyondFive, Target,…), meetings with our tech and digital partners, and new potential tech partners. We were privileged to spend this time together, to learn and meet so many fascinating people.”
LTW365 AI in Retail
At the opening keynote panel of LTW365 AI in Retail in London during November, delegates were reminded that while many retailers have made AI a top priority, the technology has proved hard to implement.
“I don’t think it’s a bubble,” Mohsen Ghasempour, Chief AI Officer at Kingfisher, shared, adding that the technology was already having an impact at the home improvement giant. Personalised recommendations are generating sales for the business, while AI is also supporting pricing. “It’s easy to get a return on investment in these areas,” he added.
Simon Ellis, Head of AI Transformation and Enterprise Architecture at Pets at Home, told delegates that the pace of change in retail is an issue. “There are two worlds and they need to align - consumer expectations and the operations of the business,” he explained.
“There is a danger that with AI you are simply doing the same thing, just faster,” Ellis warned. “It really offers us a chance to do things differently.”
Stephen Reid, Chief Architect at The Very Group, agreed that retailers need to have a clear strategy when using AI. “A lot have taken a pilot based approach, but the next step is looking at how AI aligns with their strategy,” he added.
The Very Group has been using AI for finance, where it helps to detect potential fraud, and in managing customer credit. “Classic AI is embedded across our entire organisation,” Reid said.
More recently, the online retailer has been using AI to generate copy for product descriptions, which are better able to drive sales. It is also tapping the technology to offer personalised search results for customers, which Reid said had already increased conversion rates.
Ghasempour also shared how AI is being deployed in stores to help consumers find the tools or equipment they need with a simple mobile scan. “For example, an AI agent can help them find the best match in our range of wallpaper,” he commented.
“A lot of board members get very excited about the potential of AI,” Ellis added. “But it needs to fit into the rest of your business.” For Pets at Home, Ellis said this means remembering the focus on supporting its customers.
“Our customers are looking for advice and support,” he stated. “I love AI and tech but people are the safety layer - our strategy is to give our colleagues tools to better support our customers.”
RTIH AI in Retail Awards
RTIH proudly presents the first edition of its AI in Retail Awards, sponsored by VenHub Global, 3D Cloud and EdTech Innovation Hub.
As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.
With 2026 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.
Our 2026 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.
Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.
Continue reading…