Aitken to Replace Kirk Perry as Circana CEO

Retail data giant Circana has appointed Stuart Aitken as CEO, starting with the New Year. Aitken's departure from grocery chain the Kroger Company was announced only in the last week.

Circana is the name given to the combined business of consumer data firms IRI and The NPD Group shortly after their merger in 2022. The firm uses advanced analytics, cross-industry data and decades of expertise to help clients understand spending and trends across retail sectors, and take action accordingly. Liquid Data, its core platform, integrates market, consumer, frequent shopper, media, supply chain and other data in an on-demand, cloud-based technology hub for brands and retail stores, and has been enhanced recently with the addition of Liquid AI and smaller client option Liquid Data Go.

Aitken is stepping down as SVP, Chief Merchandising and Marketing Officer for Kroger at the end of the year, after four years in the role, to be replaced by Mary Ellen Adcock. While at the store chain he played a key role in the integration of dunnhumbyUSA and the setting up of analytics unit 84.51°, and earlier in his career he worked at retailers including Safeway and Michaels. As of January 1st he will join Circana's Board and take over its top job from Kirk Perry, who will retire.

Circana says Aitken has created 'significant value' for Kroger by driving 'a more customer centric approach to merchandising and marketing', together with a focus on high margin digital revenue streams including analytics and retail media. Chair of the Board Tod Johnson says the Board is confident its succession planning process has turned up 'the ideal candidate to lead Circana well into the future', adding: 'His passionate leadership, strategic and innovative mindset, and extensive experience across the retail, technology, and data/analytics industries will create value for our company, our people, and the clients we serve globally'.

Web site: www.circana.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.