Retail’s GenAI Success Hinges on a Strategic Mindset, Not a Tech Stack
A New White Paper Reveals Cultivating an Agile Workforce Now Can Prevent GenAI from Eroding Tomorrow’s Leadership Pipeline
TUCSON, Ariz. — The University of Arizona’s Lundgren Retail Collaborative has released a new white paper, Catching the AI Wave: Mapping a GenAI Strategy for the Evolving Retail Industry. Featuring insights from top executives at Macy’s, Walmart, and Procter & Gamble, the report reveals a critical and often overlooked risk of GenAI adoption: by automating entry-level tasks, retailers could be eliminating the training ground where future leaders develop critical thought and gain foundational experience.
The white paper challenges the retail industry to proactively address this looming talent shortage by cultivating curiosity and agility in the workforce and building strategic partnerships with educators. Taken together, the case studies, analysis and C-suite perspectives in the report combine to offer a roadmap for retailers looking to harness GenAI’s potential while securing the industry’s long-term leadership pipeline.
“I have heard many CEOs talk about how AI is ‘going to’ benefit their companies, but few can explain exactly how that is being applied to their business today,” said Terry J. Lundgren, CEO Chairman, CEO Macy*s, Inc. (Retired). “This white paper provides a framework for turning GenAI’s potential into practical business results. Our unique collaborative model—which brings together academic minds, student perspectives, and seasoned industry leaders—is essential for generating the kind of applied insights that the retail sector needs to thrive in this new era.”
The white paper outlines three urgent priorities for retail leaders: gain a comprehensive understanding of GenAI’s potential, develop a GenAI-literate workforce, and commit to a robust risk management strategy. Contributors include Terry J. Lundgren; Keith Credendino, Chief Information Officer, Macy’s Inc.; Krishnaveni Gnanasekaran, Senior Vice President, Enterprise Data Analytics & Technology, Macy’s Inc.; Desirée Gosby, Vice President, Emerging Technology Walmart Global Tech; and Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer, Procter & Gamble.
“New technology has become so intuitive that it often requires little to no formal training,” said Jennifer Savary, co-director of the Lundgren Retail Collaborative. “The gap is in identifying use cases, responsible integration and business contexts. Retail leaders must prioritize cultivating a flexible workforce now, or they risk facing a leadership crisis in the years to come. By providing a clear-eyed view of both the opportunities and risks, this white paper equips retailers with the actionable insights needed to make informed decisions, cultivate a future-ready workforce, and secure a long-term competitive edge.”
A digital copy of Catching the AI Wave: Mapping a GenAI Strategy for the Evolving Retail Industry is available for download on the Lundgren Retail Collaborative website.
About Lundgren Retail Collaborative
The Lundgren Retail Collaborative at the University of Arizona is a retail industry research center dedicated to bridging the gap between academic inquiry and real-world application. Funded by a philanthropic gift from Terry and Tina Lundgren, the Lundgren Retail Collaborative seeks to advance cutting-edge research, insights, and solutions to tackle the evolving challenges and opportunities within the retail sector.
About Eller College of Management
Home to 8,100 undergraduate and 1,300 graduate students, the University of Arizona Eller College of Management is a comprehensive business school with a global reputation for innovative research, rigorous curriculum, a distinguished faculty, excellence in entrepreneurship and social responsibility. The college’s mission is to support and develop a community of scholars and learners whose knowledge, integrity and entrepreneurial spirit will transform business and society. For more, visit eller.arizona.edu.
Media contacts:
Jennifer Savary
Associate Professor of Marketing, Terry J. and Tina Lundgren Endowed Chair for Marketing and Retail, Co-director of the Lundgren Retail Collaborative
jennifersavary@arizona.edu
Lance Erickson
Associate Professor of Practice and Program Chair, Retailing and Consumer Science
Co-director of the Lundgren Retail Collaborative
(520) 626-7952
lerickso@email.arizona.edu
Janet Flores
Senior Director of Marketing and Communications
University of Arizona Eller College of Management
520-621-4266
mjf2@arizona.edu