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Interview

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Inside Clarks’ Bold Digital Transformation: A Conversation with CIO Simon Clarke

On a recent episode of the OFFBounds podcast, host Paula Macaggi sat down with Simon Clarke, Chief Information Officer at Clarks, to uncover the story behind the iconic shoe brand’s massive digital overhaul. As a company with nearly 200 years of history, Clarks has long been cherished for its quality and tradition. But Simon was brought in to tackle something entirely new: leading a complete digital transformation in just 18 months—a huge undertaking for any business, let alone one as established as Clarks. Simon took on this challenge, blending cutting-edge technology with Clarks’ classic values to create a more connected, customer-centered experience.

When Simon joined, Clarks’ digital infrastructure was outdated and fragmented, especially across its global markets. While the UK operations were somewhat unified, other regions like the U.S. were isolated, creating an inconsistent customer experience. Simon’s mission was to bring these channels together using a “composable” technology approach, allowing Clarks to quickly adapt to customers’ needs without starting from scratch. “It was like moving from an old Nokia to an iPhone,” Simon shared, emphasizing that every change aimed to enhance the way customers experience Clarks, both online and in-store.

Bringing this vision to life wasn’t easy. Simon’s team worked tirelessly to build a unified system, collaborating with trusted technology partners who could keep up with Clarks’ ambitious timeline and high standards. With everyone aligned on the project’s goal, Simon prioritized simplicity and focus to ensure the project stayed on track. This approach paid off—Clarks recently received awards for “Best Retail Change Project” and “Best Overall Project,” an industry nod to the impact of this transformation.

Now, with a flexible and scalable digital foundation, Clarks is ready to evolve as customer expectations and technology continue to change. For Simon, this journey underscored the importance of a strong team and a clear vision. As Clarks celebrates its 200th anniversary, it’s more than a heritage brand—it’s a brand with an eye firmly on the future, ready to delight customers for the next 200 years.

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Interview

How Helzberg Uses Technology to Remove Frontline Burden

Under Ryan Holm's leadership, the 111-year-old jewelry retailer has invested in technology that removes administrative burden while protecting human connection.

Under Ryan Holm's leadership, the 111-year-old jewelry retailer has invested in technology that removes administrative burden while protecting human connection.

Interview

Under Ryan Holm's leadership, the 111-year-old jewelry retailer has invested in technology that removes administrative burden while protecting human connection.

How Helzberg Uses Technology to Remove Frontline Burden

Under Ryan Holm's leadership, the 111-year-old jewelry retailer has invested in technology that removes administrative burden while protecting human connection.

Interview

How HANRO US Used Streaming Ads and Clienteling to Accelerate Growth

Growth has not come from nostalgia alone. Under Satanas’ leadership, HANRO USA invested in modern acquisition channels while playing the long game on brand building. Paid social laid the foundation, but streaming ads delivered a breakthrough moment.

Growth has not come from nostalgia alone. Under Satanas’ leadership, HANRO USA invested in modern acquisition channels while playing the long game on brand building. Paid social laid the foundation, but streaming ads delivered a breakthrough moment.

Interview

Growth has not come from nostalgia alone. Under Satanas’ leadership, HANRO USA invested in modern acquisition channels while playing the long game on brand building. Paid social laid the foundation, but streaming ads delivered a breakthrough moment.

How HANRO US Used Streaming Ads and Clienteling to Accelerate Growth

Growth has not come from nostalgia alone. Under Satanas’ leadership, HANRO USA invested in modern acquisition channels while playing the long game on brand building. Paid social laid the foundation, but streaming ads delivered a breakthrough moment.

Interview

Inside Westwing’s Turnaround: The Decisions That Changed Everything

At the center of this transformation sits an unusual balance of rigor and creativity. Hoerning often describes it as the tension between data and intuition.

At the center of this transformation sits an unusual balance of rigor and creativity. Hoerning often describes it as the tension between data and intuition.

Interview

At the center of this transformation sits an unusual balance of rigor and creativity. Hoerning often describes it as the tension between data and intuition.

Inside Westwing’s Turnaround: The Decisions That Changed Everything

At the center of this transformation sits an unusual balance of rigor and creativity. Hoerning often describes it as the tension between data and intuition.

Trends

The Rise of Brand Memberships and the Future of Customer Loyalty

Brand memberships are having a moment in retail, and it is not a passing one. Across fashion, beauty, grocery, and home, brands are moving beyond traditional loyalty programs built on points and discounts and instead creating paid or value-based memberships that promise access, belonging, and emotional connection.

Brand memberships are having a moment in retail, and it is not a passing one. Across fashion, beauty, grocery, and home, brands are moving beyond traditional loyalty programs built on points and discounts and instead creating paid or value-based memberships that promise access, belonging, and emotional connection.

Trends

Brand memberships are having a moment in retail, and it is not a passing one. Across fashion, beauty, grocery, and home, brands are moving beyond traditional loyalty programs built on points and discounts and instead creating paid or value-based memberships that promise access, belonging, and emotional connection.

The Rise of Brand Memberships and the Future of Customer Loyalty

Brand memberships are having a moment in retail, and it is not a passing one. Across fashion, beauty, grocery, and home, brands are moving beyond traditional loyalty programs built on points and discounts and instead creating paid or value-based memberships that promise access, belonging, and emotional connection.

Interview

Leading With Craft: Jonathan Adler’s Next Chapter

Eight weeks into her role as President of Jonathan Adler, Mary Beth Sheridan is already clear on what matters. Craftsmanship, customer connection, and emotional resonance are not marketing language for the brand, they are the foundation.

Eight weeks into her role as President of Jonathan Adler, Mary Beth Sheridan is already clear on what matters. Craftsmanship, customer connection, and emotional resonance are not marketing language for the brand, they are the foundation.

Interview

Eight weeks into her role as President of Jonathan Adler, Mary Beth Sheridan is already clear on what matters. Craftsmanship, customer connection, and emotional resonance are not marketing language for the brand, they are the foundation.

Leading With Craft: Jonathan Adler’s Next Chapter

Eight weeks into her role as President of Jonathan Adler, Mary Beth Sheridan is already clear on what matters. Craftsmanship, customer connection, and emotional resonance are not marketing language for the brand, they are the foundation.

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