In the last few years, the retail industry has witnessed a transformation—more women are stepping into CEO roles, bringing new perspectives and innovative leadership styles to some of the biggest brands across the globe. As we celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, invent.ai would like to acknowledge the incredible women leaders spearheading the future of retail.
Historically, retailing has been where women are the leading consumers, workers and decision-makers. Yet, for decades, men dominated the top leadership positions. As industries increasingly recognize the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, companies are actively working to close the gender gap and achieve gender parity in executive leadership.
Today’s retailers recognize the value in diverse leadership, with a surge of women taking top positions within major brands. At invent.ai, we’re seeing this shift firsthand. More women are taking on executive roles, fueled by the need for innovation, customer-driven decision-making and forward-thinking strategies. Their leadership is not only driving revenue but is setting new benchmarks for corporate responsibility, digital transformation and workplace culture.
Women leaders driving change
From Fortune 500 companies to startups, the number of women in CEO roles is rising. Leaders like Winnie Park at Five Below, Molly Langenstein at Chico’s, and Corie Barry at Best Buy are redefining the formula for success through strategic vision, digital transformation and a focus on customer experiences.
At invent.ai, our CRO Tav Tepfer is another great example of a woman leading change in retail. With her deep knowledge of AI and a passion for helping brands embrace technology innovation, Tav is playing a key role in shaping the future of the industry. Named a Top 10 CRO by The Chief Navigator Magazine, she’s also committed to empowering women in leadership by creating opportunities and providing mentorship to help them succeed.
Some of the key trends emerging under women leaders include:
- Focus on sustainability and responsible sourcing
Many women leaders are choosing to spearhead corporate social responsibility initiatives that focus on environmental and social wellbeing. From reducing carbon footprints to implementing ethical labor practices, these leaders are driving retail toward a more sustainable future. - Tech-driven transformation
By embracing AI, automation and data-driven decision-making, these CEOs put their brands ahead of the curve. As technology becomes necessary for retail success, women-led organizations are prioritizing digital strategies that enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency. - Inclusive workplace culture
Women leaders are building more diverse, inclusive and equitable workplaces, recognizing the strength of representation at all levels. By creating mentorship programs and employee resource groups, they are creating pathways for the next generation of female executives.
According to McKinsey & Company, companies with greater gender diversity within their executive teams are 25% more likely to outperform their competitors in revenue growth. Additionally, a Deloitte study found that companies with inclusive cultures are six times more likely to innovate and respond to customer needs. At invent.ai, our customer data reflects these trends—companies with diverse leadership are leveraging AI and automation more effectively, making intuitive decisions based on data with greater confidence.
The future is female
While progress has been made, there’s still work to do. Despite gains in leadership positions, women continue to hold fewer than 10% of CEO roles in the retail industry, according to Forbes. Mentorship, sponsorship and continued investment in women's leadership development will be essential in maintaining momentum and achieving true gender parity.
This International Women's Day, we commend the women leaders driving change—breaking stereotypes, redefining retail and empowering the leaders of tomorrow. Their impact is not only reshaping retail today but also paving the way for future gender diversity in leadership. Ready to be part of a company that values leadership from all walks of life? Learn more about how you can join our team!