Retail
Data and analytics professionals in Retail
These ten professionals lead or have led data analytics and business intelligence work at retailers, in areas such as store operations, merchandising and customer analytics. A reader can learn which retail data actually shapes store and merchandising decisions and where that data falls short.
Professionals to explore
01—10Arati Singh
LinkedInExperience: Head of Analytics, Data science & AI - Enterprise Data Strategy · Walmart
Head of Analytics, Data science & AI - Enterprise Data Strategy at Walmart since 2023. The highlight lists retail business analytics and customer analytics among the areas covered. Also Senior Manager II - Data science, Analytics at Walmart since 2017. Other listed roles include Senior Data Manager at Walmart (2017–2023), Business Data Manager at University of Illinois Chicago (2015–2016) and Analytics Manager at University of Illinois Health (2015–2016).
Dan Foster
LinkedInExperience: Director of Analytics, Stores & Real Estate · Tailored Brands, Inc.
Director of Analytics, Stores & Real Estate at Tailored Brands, Inc. since 2024. The highlight describes 20 years of leading analytics teams that help retail organizations make decisions across physical stores and digital commerce. Other listed roles include Senior Director, Commercial Analytics for North America at Nike (2023–2024), Director, Connected Marketplace Analytics at Nike (2021–2023), Director, O2O Analytics at Nike (2020–2022) and Director, Stores & Services Analytics at Nike (2016–2020).
Jeff Nault
LinkedInExperience: Director of Data Science and Analytics · Meijer
Director of Data Science and Analytics at Meijer since 2022. The highlight describes using data science, applied analytics and AI at Meijer to improve team member productivity and customer loyalty. Other listed roles include Director, Merchandise Services - Analytics, MDM and Merchandise Capabilities at Meijer (2020–2022), Director, Merchandise Services - Analytics and MDM at Meijer (2019–2020), Director, Merchandising and Marketing Analytics Center of Excellence at Meijer (2017–2019) and Director of Marketing Analytics and Customer Insights at Meijer (2015–2017).
Kelly Woods
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Director of Merchandising Analytics · Dollar General
Sr. Director of Merchandising Analytics at Dollar General since 2024. The highlight describes more than 15 years at Dollar General Corp with expertise in merchandising, market planning, retail strategy and promotion optimization. Other listed roles include Director of Merchandising Planning & Analytics at Dollar General (2021–2024), Promotional Planning & Analytics Sr. Manager at Dollar General (2018–2021), Market Planning & Real Estate Sr. Manager at Dollar General (2010–2018) and Consultant at kdw consultants (2009–2010).
Ken Wells
LinkedInExperience: Chief Data and Analytics Officer · Dillard's
Chief Data and Analytics Officer at Dillard's since 2025. The highlight describes 30+ years of experience in the retail industry and experience managing complex software implementation and support programs. Other listed roles include Senior Director, IT Operations Research and Applications at Dillard's (2024–2025), Director, Supply Chain Data Science at Dillard's (2022–2024), Senior Manager, Data Science Team at Dillard's (2015–2022) and Senior Manager, eCommerce and Fulfillment Applications at Dillard's (2009–2014).
Lori Gao
LinkedInExperience: Director Data Analytics, Store Operation · Target
Director Data Analytics, Store Operation at Target since 2025. The highlight describes 16 years of experience modernizing analytics in marketing, merchandising, supply chain and store operations. Other listed roles include Director Data Analytics, Supply Chain at Target (2022–2025), Senior Manager Data Analytics, Supply Chain at Target (2022), Lead Data Analyst, Food & Beverage at Target (2016–2022) and Lead Data Analyst, Finance at Target (2015–2016).
Merrin Bartley
LinkedInExperience: Vice President, Analytics and Customer Data Science · Gap Inc.
Vice President, Analytics and Customer Data Science at Gap Inc. since 2026. The highlight says the Gap Inc. role covers Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic and Athleta. Other listed roles include Senior Director of Business Analytics & Insights, North America at Nike (2025–2026), Senior Director of Global Market and Brand Insights at Nike (2024–2025), Senior Director of Insights & Analytics (Europe, Middle East & Africa) at Nike (2022–2024) and Senior Director of Merchandising and Member Analytics at Nike (2020–2022).
Sophie Duffy
LinkedInExperience: Director of Data, Analytics and AI - Argos · Sainsbury's
Director of Data, Analytics and AI - Argos at Sainsbury's since 2026. The highlight describes experience across retail, data and digital transformation. Also Director of Analytics - Argos at Sainsbury's since 2025. Other listed roles include Group Head of Data Analytics at Kingfisher plc (2021–2024), Director, Member Growth Strategy EMEA at Nike (2021) and Director, Consumer Direct Sciences UK&I at Nike (2020–2021).
Stanley Wong
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics · SEPHORA
Senior Director of Business Intelligence and Analytics at SEPHORA since 2022. The highlight describes leading Sephora's competitive, merchandising and promotion business intelligence and analytics teams. Other listed roles include Director of Business Intelligence & Analytics at SEPHORA (2020–2022), Senior Manager, Business Analytics and Strategy at SEPHORA (2018–2020), Manager, Business Analytics and Strategy at SEPHORA (2017–2018) and Analyst Sr. Analyst, Business Analytics at SEPHORA (2014–2017).
Tresell Davis
LinkedInExperience: Senior Director Business Intelligence · Ross Stores, Inc.
Senior Director Business Intelligence at Ross Stores, Inc. since 2024. The highlight describes more than two decades of driving transformation across merchandising, planning, supply chain and enterprise analytics within large-scale retail organizations. Other listed roles include Director - Business Information at Ross Stores, Inc. (2021–2024), Senior Manager Merchant Support & Insights at Ross Stores, Inc. (2019–2021), Divisional Manager Merchandise Planning at Ross Stores, Inc. (2016–2019) and Merchandise Planner & Forecaster at Macy's (2006–2010).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person's focus, such as store operations, merchandising or customer analytics, to the decision you face, and check whether their relevant role is current or past. Ask them for one retail decision their data supported and what the data could not tell them.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01Walk me through a merchandising or store decision you made with data. Which numbers did you rely on, and which did you ignore?
- 02Where have retail dashboards or forecasts misled your team, and how did you catch it?
- 03How do you decide whether a new analytics tool or data source is worth adopting for store or merchandising teams?
Reaching data and analytics professionals in Retail
How can I contact one of these data and analytics professionals in Retail?
Pick one of the 10 people on this page and choose "Book a paid call", or describe your project to find others. You offer a fee for a 15-minute call or a written answer, Instant Expert finds the person's work email and sends the invitation, and they decide whether to accept. The list covers 10 companies, including Walmart; Tailored Brands, Inc. and Meijer, based on profile data retrieved on October 1, 2026. Being listed here doesn't mean someone has agreed to take calls.
How much does it cost to reach data and analytics professionals in Retail?
You choose the offer, starting at $5 per person. It includes Instant Expert's 20% fee, so an offer that pays the person $100 costs you $125. You're charged only when the person books the call or sends the answer.
What if they don't reply?
You pay nothing. Instant Expert sends follow-up reminders, and if the person hasn't booked or answered within 7 days, the request expires and any hold on your card is released. You can invite several of the 10 people on this list at once and cap your total spend, so you pay only for the ones who accept.
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
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