ASDA's Digital Transformation & Retail Innovation with Rob Barnes

About this episode

Rob Barnes discusses ASDA's digital transformation and the role of AI in retail.

In this episode of the ServiceNow UK & I Executive Circle Podcast , host Kat Finch sits down with Rob Barnes, Chief Digital and Technology Officer at ASDA, for an insightful conversation about the retailer's ambitious digital transformation journey.  Rob shares his experience transitioning from consultancy at Accenture to in-house roles at Marks & Spencer and ASDA, highlighting key lessons from both worlds. He provides a behind-the-scenes look at ASDA’s large-scale technology overhaul following its separation from Walmart—one of the most significant transformations in modern retail history.  The discussion also explores the role of AI in shaping the future of retail, from improving customer service and supply chain optimization to enhancing in-store experiences and cybersecurity. Rob addresses the long-standing debate on the "death of the high street," arguing that physical stores remain integral to retail and discussing how AI and automation can drive greater efficiency across both online and brick-and-mortar shopping experiences.  Whether you're in retail, technology, or business leadership, this episode offers valuable insights into digital…

People in this episode

Host: Kat Finch

Guest: Rob Barnes

Topics covered

• digital transformation
• retail innovation
• AI in retail
• customer service
• supply chain optimization
• technology overhaul

Keywords

• digital transformation
• retail
• AI
• customer service
• supply chain
• technology
• automation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: ASDA, Walmart, Accenture, Marks & Spencer

More episodes of EXECUTIVE CIRCLE Podcast

• Risk at Scale: Governing AI, Sustainability, and Responsible Technology at National Grid · January 26, 2026 · 21 min
• People, Skills, and AI: Transforming Talent for the Future of Financial Services · January 26, 2026 · 24 min
• Reimagining Employee Experience at Diageo · November 18, 2025 · 28 min
• Driving Transformation and Innovation at Ricoh Europe: Navigating Change, AI, and the Future of Work · November 5, 2025 · 29 min
• From Service to Strategy: How Kerry Group is transforming employee experience with AI and GBS. · October 23, 2025 · 24 min
• Behind every click is a human: an interview with former Global Head of Digital for the Virgin Group · July 14, 2025 · 38 min