The worlds of payments, shopper loyalty and store experience are intersecting in new ways amid the ongoing transformation of food retailing. In each of these areas, Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Inmar Intelligence has a unique perspective as a leading technology and data science company whose solutions are used by retailers and touch shoppers at numerous points throughout the path to purchase. Leading Inmar’s efforts in several areas prone to the greatest disruption is John Helmle, EVP and president of the company’s fintech division. Named to that role in September 2020, Helmle spoke with Progressive Grocer about the shift to contactless payments, accepting crypto and eliminating coupon fraud by 2024.
Progressive Grocer: We’ve been hearing about digital transformation for quite a few years now. What do those words mean to you?
John Helme: It means opportunity for retailers and consumer goods companies and shoppers. Digital transformation has allowed the industry to be more efficient, obtain better insights and know customers in ways we never thought possible, which leads to better outcomes for all. And there’s more to come.
PG: Where do you think the food retailing industry is with regard to digital transformation, compared with the overall retail industry?
JH: Grocers are catching up to other sectors, and COVID-19 has been an accelerant of change. It forced retailers to re-evaluate how they were serving shoppers and how they were leveraging technology. Many of them have responded in a major way with a shopper-first mentality, whether that is with new infrastructure, meeting the customer in new ways through store experience initiatives and process improvements, or adopting new technologies.
PG: What are the attributes of a leader when it comes to digital transformation?
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Gurgaon's First and Most Successful Independent F&G Retailer
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