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Caitlin Allen is SVP of market at retail automation company Simbe.
How would you describe your job to someone who doesn’t work in retail? We’ve all had the experience of going to the store for that one thing we need, where only one brand will do—that specific almond butter, bottle of wine, toy, electronic device, pair of socks, whatever—only to find that it’s not on the shelf or that the price tag doesn’t match the promotion we’d seen. My company solves that problem by putting our robots and other sensors in stores to scan inventory levels and price tags. Up until now, retailers have tried to solve this challenge by having store associates walk up and down the aisles manually scanning products. My job is to help retailers see there’s a more efficient, effective way to collect data from their stores—one that benefits both their top and bottom lines, and offers an even better experience to their shoppers and store associates. The best part is that I get to do this by telling stories about the industry’s innovators who have already made this transition, detailing what they’ve done to set a new standard for their companies, partners, shoppers, and teams.
One thing we can’t guess about your job from your LinkedIn profile? How incredible our customers are. We have the privilege of working with some of the biggest names in retail, like Carrefour, Albertsons, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Country Supplier, Giant Eagle, SpartanNash, Schnucks, Bristol Farms, and many others—operating in their stores across three continents. Our customers are leading the way in embracing retail innovation and transforming the in-store experience. It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of their journey as they pioneer the future of the industry.
What’s your favorite project you’ve worked on? In early January, we launched Tally Spot, a fixed sensor solution that brings a new dimension to Simbe’s Store Intelligence platform. For over 10 years, Simbe has been dedicated to the same mission: to provide a single source of truth for in-store intelligence with solutions that are unmatched in the market. Thanks to our customers, our autonomous robot, Tally, has deservedly earned the reputation as the friendly store robot improving the in-store experience. Tally Spot is the next step in evolving this vision. Many of our retail partners specifically asked for a way to monitor inventory more frequently in high-priority areas like fresh food, luxury goods, and checkout lanes, where products move quickly or are high-value. Tally Spot provides that extra layer of visibility, giving retailers a comprehensive, near real-time view of their inventory across every corner of the store.
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Which emerging retail trend are you most excited about right now, and why? AI and automation’s ability to do the things that humans hate to do, so they can focus on the things they love and that bring them joy.
What’s your go-to coffee order? Black fresh press coffee with beans ordered from Stumptown. I drink it with my husband and Dalmatian every morning, on the floor in front of the fire in the winter, and under our oak tree in the summer.
Worst piece of advice you’ve received? “Follow your passion.” A fulfilling, meaningful job overlaps four things: your talent, what the world needs, what interests you—and what someone will pay you for.
What was your favorite retail product when you were 15, and what’s your favorite retail product now? My favorite product at 15 was a toss up between venti caramel frappuccinos with extra sauce from Starbucks, which I ate for lunch almost every day, and any available leopard-print decoration for my Jeep Grand Cherokee. Today, it’s my Harcour riding breeches. They fit perfectly and don’t need to be adjusted when I’m on my horse, Vintage, and they’re pretty, which is not something you can often say about all the dirty dusty things in the barn. I also continue to be obsessed with my black leather Tom Ford Alix crossbody bag, which I got to celebrate my new job at Simbe when I joined last year. It’s gorgeous, and I love the gold lock that protects the zip pocket where I keep cash for just in case situations. It also fits a lot of stuff without showing it, and I can use it and still have my hands free.