Focus on stores and technology as John Viera takes on new innovation role at John Lewis & Partners
John Viera has moved into the role of Retail Innovation & Change Manager at John Lewis & Partners. He has been with the UK retailer for just over 21 years and previously served as Operations Support Manager.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Building on my experience in retail operations, I’ll be leading the technology squad and shaping change across our shops, from prioritisation and design through to delivery, adoption and sustained outcomes.”
He added: “I’ll also be co-leading our broader payments agenda, helping to shape priorities and deliver change across the payment experience, while taking specific lead responsibility for the retail till and checkout transformation. I’m proud to take on a role that brings together strategy, innovation, technology and operational delivery, and I’m looking forward to helping shape the next chapter of change across John Lewis shops.”
Digital transformation
John Lewis is going through a major digital transformation (to the tune of £800 million), and at the heart of this move is meeting the customer where they are at.
The retailer's products will be served to customers looking for inspiration on AI platforms like Google Gemini and ChatGPT, starting later this year. John Lewis has extended its partnership with commercetools, a digital commerce platform, to utilise its new AI capabilities.
It has also launched on TikTok Shop. Initially a 90-day pilot timed to help with Mother’s Day gifting, the trial focused on a curated edit of beauty and gifting items, instantly shoppable through the platform. This included a final drop of its Mother’s Day Beauty Box, featuring a collection of beauty products from brands including Jo Malone London, Augustinus Bader and Estee Lauder.
Dom McBrien, Chief Digital and Omnichannel Officer, John Lewis, said: “Our customers are already using AI apps and discovery platforms to find products they love. These investments will mean that we are right there when customers are looking for ideas - and being able to quickly and easily buy in a few clicks is a gamechanger. We look forward to rolling out these functionalities and welcoming them into our omnichannel mix alongside our own app, website, and physical stores.”
Broghan Smith, Head of Key Accounts at TikTok Shop UK, said: "We're delighted to welcome John Lewis to TikTok Shop. As a cornerstone of British retail with a proud heritage, John Lewis represents exactly the kind of quality brand our community loves to discover. We're excited to see how they'll succeed with discovery commerce on TikTok Shop, bringing their trusted products to life in new and engaging ways for our users."
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Digital transformation will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC 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.
