Gartner Expert

Robert Hetu

VP Analyst

Robert Hetu is a VP Analyst and KI Leader with the Gartner Retail Industry Services team. His responsibilities involve tracking the technology markets and trends impacting emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, generative artificial intelligence, and customer behavioral analytics. Mr. Hetu is an expert in the areas of retail technology supporting merchandising, advanced analytics and AI.

Previous experience

Prior to joining Gartner, Mr. Hetu's industry experience spans 28 years with leading retailers and manufacturers such as Macy's, VF Corp. and Kmart, as well as retail dot-com organizations in senior merchandising positions. As VP of Vendor Collaboration for Macy's, he was directly responsible for building stronger business relationships with key brands through use of technology and business process improvement focused on the areas of assortment management, replenishment, business intelligence and vendor performance scorecards. Previous experience includes extensive replenishment, planning and store management positions within Macy's and Kmart; general merchandise director for a dot-com company; as well as retail support and vendor-managed inventory with two major manufacturers.

Professional background

Macy's Merchandising Group, VP - Vendor Collaboration, Replenishment & Size Analysis, 6 years

Pillowtex Corp., VP - Performance Improvement, 6 years

VF Corp., Retail Floor Space Management Team, 2 years

Areas of coverage
  • Retail Industry Technology Insights

Education

B.S., Business Administration and Finance, Jacksonville State University

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Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

01

Retail merchandise management and optimization applications including price, promotion, markdown, assortment, size & pack, space, replenishment & allocation

02

Retail business and technology trends

03

Deep learning, machine learning, artificial intelligence for retail.

04

Retail behavioral segmentation

05

Retail digital business strategy