For the past three years, we have recognized retail brands that have had exceptional results each year, powered by teams that are redefining innovation and reshaping the future of retail. We have worked in collaboration with SAP on our third annual awards program that focuses on identifying radical thinkers and doers (innovators and entrepreneurial leaders) in the retail industry. These radicals are clearly driving the major transformations within their respective retail brands and have risen to the challenges of delivering high performances during an unprecedented global pandemic. They have maintained their respective North Stars by not compromising the customer experience for short-term profit goals. These five brands are authentic, transparent, and true to their core missions. Each is a role model for other retailers in their sectors and a poster child for putting customers first.
Our 2021 Radicals met both data-based and qualitative criteria. We identified metrics for outperforming retail brands across various sectors in the industry which were measured through a systematic quantifiable analysis. Qualitative factors supporting the data were researched across publicly accessible reports covering their major innovations, including breakthrough technology strategies.
“The 2021 Retail Radical Award winners represent some of the most transformative companies in the world. These leading companies are on the cutting edge of experience management, earning loyal customers by offering innovative products and services, providing seamless interactions and commerce, and leveraging a digitally enabled technology architecture,” said Matt Laukaitis, EVP and Global General Manager of SAP Consumer Industries. “The analysis details how these brands are executing at the top of their game, delivering measurable outcomes for customers, partners, and their own workforce that far outpace the competition – particularly facing the challenges of a global pandemic. Congratulations to these well-deserved recipients.”
The Winners
Allbirds, BJs, Peloton, REI and Tractor Supply Company are the 2021 Retail Radicals winners. Each represents a discrete sector of the retail industry and based on their strategic initiatives and innovations, these companies have outpaced the market in delivering key performance metrics during an extremely difficult and challenging year.
Former Retail Radical winners are Ascena, Cos Bar, Estée Lauder, Levi, Loft, Macy’s, Nike, Petco, Randa, Target, Tommy Bahama, Ulta, and VF Corp.Like all strategic transformations, it requires enlightened leadership, major capital commitment, dedicated resources, innovative initiatives, and extreme focus matched with a high level of strategic agility to meet the demands of a very complex market and massive shift in consumer demand. We believe these five Retail Radicals have reached an inflection point activating a successful transformation that will accelerate a sustainable profitable growth curve going forward.Be on the lookout for in-depth reports on these radical thinkers and doers who have been major drivers in innovation and contributors to each company’s outperformance. We salute these brands that have transcended economic disruption, a global health crisis and civic unrest to deliver customer experiences that are meaningful and valuable.
