Sainsbury’s appoints insider as first group digital chief

Sainsbury’s is bolstering its quest to ensure customers experience an integrated and seamless digital experience across the Sainsbury’s, Argos, Sainsbury’s Bank and Nectar divisions by appointing its first ever group digital officer.

Insider Clodagh Moriarty has been promoted to the role – which also includes a place on the retailer’s operating board – after eight years with Sainsbury’s, most recently as online director.

In that role, it is claimed Moriarty was pivotal in growing online sales and profitability as well as driving customer innovation, such as introducing same-day grocery delivery, one-hour grocery delivery in Chop Chop, and in-store self-scan service SmartShop.

Her new remit is to create and lead the company’s digital strategy across all its divisions.

Last month Argos said it was ramping up its data and digital operations by launching a major recruitment drive with the aim of hiring over 150 new staff for its tech division, boosting the headcount to 450.

Meanwhile many believe that Sainsbury’s £12bn merger with Asda – which is still going through the approval process – could provide a major boost for the Nectar loyalty scheme and unlock customer insights on millions more UK shoppers, triggering a boom in data-driven marketing for both the supermarkets and brands alike.

Sainsbury’s group chief executive Mike Coupe said: “The creation of the new group chief digital officer role demonstrates the importance we place in giving customers outstanding and seamless digital shopping experiences. Investment in this area is vital to our future success and I am confident that Clodagh has the expertise and leadership we need in this area.”

Moriarty added: “It’s a really exciting time to be working in retail and digital innovation is key to making our customers’ shopping experiences easier. I am supported by talented colleagues across the group and see lots of opportunities to build on our existing platforms. I am delighted to be joining the operating board at such a pivotal time for our company.”