Gartner Expert

Robert Hetu

Distinguished VP Analyst

Robert Hetu is a Distinguished VP Analyst with the Enterprise Strategy and Transformation team. His responsibilities involve tracking the technology markets and trends impacting emerging technologies including AI, GenAI, and Agentic AI use cases and adoption in retail and across industries. The centerpiece of my coverage is on the future consumer industries and customer behavioral modeling. Mr. Hetu is an expert in the transformation of core solutions in the age of AI.

Previous experience

Prior to joining Gartner, Mr. Hetu's industry experience spans 28 years with leading retailers and manufacturers such as Macy's, VF Corp. and Kmart, as well as retail dot-com organizations in senior merchandising positions. As VP of Vendor Collaboration for Macy's, he was directly responsible for building stronger business relationships with key brands through use of technology and business process improvement focused on the areas of assortment management, replenishment, business intelligence and vendor performance scorecards. Previous experience includes extensive replenishment, planning and store management positions within Macy's and Kmart; general merchandise director for a dot-com company; as well as retail support and vendor-managed inventory with two major manufacturers.

Professional background

Macy's Merchandising Group, VP - Vendor Collaboration, Replenishment & Size Analysis, 6 years

Pillowtex Corp., VP - Performance Improvement, 6 years

VF Corp., Retail Floor Space Management Team, 2 years

Areas of coverage
  • CIO and Executive Technology Leadership

  • Identify the Right AI Use Cases

  • Multi-Industry Technology Insights and Collections

  • AI Strategy and Business Transformation

Education

B.S., Business Administration and Finance, Jacksonville State University

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Top Issues That I Help Clients Address

01

The future of consumer industries and the impact of agentic commerce on consumers, retailers and consumer goods companies.

02

Retail business and technology trends, predictions, hype cycle

03

AI, Gen AI and Agentic AI use cases, value measurement and maturity.

04

Core transformation in the age of AI

05

AI strategy development