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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When Simon joined, Clarks’ digital infrastructure was outdated and fragmented, especially across its global markets.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

Inside Ulta Beauty’s Digital Transformation: From Personalization to Marketplace

Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

Interview

Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

Inside Ulta Beauty’s Digital Transformation: From Personalization to Marketplace

Josh Friedman, Senior Vice President of Digital & E-commerce at Ulta Beauty, shared how the company is redefining beauty retail through a blend of personalization, innovation, and omnichannel strategy.

Interview

Why Retail Leaders at Central Retail and 2degrees Put Employees First — and Saw Results

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

Interview

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

Why Retail Leaders at Central Retail and 2degrees Put Employees First — and Saw Results

In retail, there’s a growing realization that the customer experience can only be as strong as the employee experience behind it.

Interview

Scaling Connection: Inside Mecca’s Emotion-Driven Retail Model

In an era where AI is reshaping the way we work and shop, Mecca Brands is proving that emotional intelligence may be the most powerful differentiator in modern retail

In an era where AI is reshaping the way we work and shop, Mecca Brands is proving that emotional intelligence may be the most powerful differentiator in modern retail

Interview

In an era where AI is reshaping the way we work and shop, Mecca Brands is proving that emotional intelligence may be the most powerful differentiator in modern retail

Scaling Connection: Inside Mecca’s Emotion-Driven Retail Model

In an era where AI is reshaping the way we work and shop, Mecca Brands is proving that emotional intelligence may be the most powerful differentiator in modern retail

Interview

How DingDong Fresh Is Reinventing Grocery Retail with AI at the Core

With over 1,000 AI-powered “dark stores” operating as micro-fulfillment centers, the company delivers fresh produce, meat, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals to consumers’ doors in under 30 minutes, at scale.

With over 1,000 AI-powered “dark stores” operating as micro-fulfillment centers, the company delivers fresh produce, meat, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals to consumers’ doors in under 30 minutes, at scale.

Interview

With over 1,000 AI-powered “dark stores” operating as micro-fulfillment centers, the company delivers fresh produce, meat, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals to consumers’ doors in under 30 minutes, at scale.

How DingDong Fresh Is Reinventing Grocery Retail with AI at the Core

With over 1,000 AI-powered “dark stores” operating as micro-fulfillment centers, the company delivers fresh produce, meat, seafood, and ready-to-eat meals to consumers’ doors in under 30 minutes, at scale.

Interview

India’s Digital Fashion Revolution Is Just Getting Started

With over 300 million Gen Z consumers and more than 2 million creators, India’s fashion market is buzzing with potential.

With over 300 million Gen Z consumers and more than 2 million creators, India’s fashion market is buzzing with potential.

Interview

With over 300 million Gen Z consumers and more than 2 million creators, India’s fashion market is buzzing with potential.

India’s Digital Fashion Revolution Is Just Getting Started

With over 300 million Gen Z consumers and more than 2 million creators, India’s fashion market is buzzing with potential.

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