A new era for retail CTOs
Retail CTOs are at a turning point. They’re no longer just responsible for keeping systems running—they’re driving business transformation. The role is shifting from ‘COO of IT’ to something much more dynamic: a business innovator who uses technology to unlock new opportunities.
This shift isn’t just about adopting new tools; it’s about mindset. The best CTOs embrace flexibility, reject binary thinking, and weave innovation into both their tech stack and the way their teams work. When done right, this approach creates an organisation that can move faster and adapt more easily to whatever comes next.
The mindset that sets innovation leaders apart
If there’s one certainty, it’s that the future is uncertain. But instead of resisting change, today’s leading CTOs are leaning into it—with curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to challenge the status quo.
As Usama Dar, former CTO of Westwing, puts it:
“If you only think being an engineer is about building great stuff, that’s the wrong approach. It’s about solving great problems. And you have to start with the question of why a problem is important first.”
In my time at Shopify, I’ve had the chance to talk to pioneering tech leaders like Usama. They share a common trait: an innovation mindset. They do this by asking a new set of questions and breaking away from traditional models and ways of doing things:
Learning from innovation-first leaders
In our latest report, The Innovation Mindset, we explore this shift and hear directly from those leading the charge:
Usama Dar, CTO, Westwing Home & Living
Ana Machado da Silva, Head of Product and Experience, Boden
Jeff Geheb, Global Chief Experience Officer, VML
Navid Jilow, CTO, Belstaff
Simon Hamblin, Co-Founder, FuseFabric
Deann Evans, Managing Director, Shopify EMEA
The future belongs to the agile
At Shopify, we see a new wave of CTOs moving away from rigid, monolithic systems in favor of flexible, modular solutions. They understand that staying ahead isn’t about following the old playbook—it’s about rewriting it.
No one knows exactly what the future holds, but one thing is clear: it’s an exciting time to be a CTO. The real question is, are you ready for what’s next?
Download the report now and get the insights you need to stay ahead.
