Smrutha Ipparthi becomes the chief technology and product officer of Shipt
Shipt, the delivery service owned by Target, has announced the appointment of Smrutha Ipparthi as its chief technology and product officer. Ipparthi, who has been working in Shipt’s technology organization, will have an expanded role in shaping the company’s user experience and infrastructure, aligning product development with innovative technological advancements, and enhancing the overall experience for customers, shoppers and partners.
Ipparthi has a strong background in e-commerce and operational excellence, and has spearheaded projects such as the company’s recent launch of its student membership model, which caters to the needs of college students, and Shipt’s Summit Seeker Program, which rewards shoppers for high standards of service.
“One of the best parts about working at Shipt is seeing the bright, kind minds of our community work together to achieve great success within our industry, while prioritizing the experiences of Shipt’s customers, partners and shoppers,” said Ipparthi in a statement. “I’m extremely proud of the work the team is doing to continue bringing our customers delight in every delivery and I look forward to what we will accomplish next.”
Shipt CEO praises Ipparthi’s ability to drive the company’s tech efforts
Shipt CEO Kamau Witherspoon expressed his confidence in Ipparthi’s leadership and vision for the company. “With a unique combination of expertise in e-commerce and operational excellence, as well as experience driving product innovation, we’re thrilled to see what our team will accomplish under her leadership,” Witherspoon said.
Witherspoon also highlighted the importance of technology and product innovation for Shipt’s growth and differentiation in the competitive delivery market. “Technology is at the core of everything we do at Shipt. It enables us to deliver on our promise of convenience, quality and reliability for our customers, shoppers and partners,” he said.
Shipt, which was acquired by Target in 2017 for $550 million, offers same-day delivery of groceries, household essentials, electronics, toys and more from over 120 retailers across the U.S. The company has over 300,000 shoppers who fulfill orders from more than 30,000 stores.
Shipt faces challenges and opportunities in the post-pandemic era
Shipt saw a surge in demand for its services during the COVID-19 pandemic, as more consumers opted for online shopping and delivery to avoid exposure to the virus. The company reported a 150% growth in deliveries from 2020 to 2021. However, as pandemic restrictions eased and consumers returned to in-store shopping, Shipt’s growth slowed down to 11% in 2022.
To maintain its momentum and attract new customers and partners, Shipt has been investing in new features and initiatives that aim to enhance its value proposition and user experience. Some of these include:
- Launching a student membership model that offers college students a discounted annual fee of $49 (compared to $99 for regular members) and access to exclusive deals and perks.
- Introducing a Summit Seeker Program that rewards shoppers who complete a certain number of orders per week with bonuses, free Shipt gear, priority access to orders and more.
- Expanding its delivery categories to include alcohol, pet supplies, office supplies, health and wellness products and more.
- Partnering with more retailers such as CVS Pharmacy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Office Depot, Petco and others to offer more choices and convenience to customers.
- Enhancing its app functionality and design to make it easier for customers to browse products, place orders, track deliveries and communicate with shoppers.
With Ipparthi’s appointment as the chief technology and product officer, Shipt hopes to continue innovating and growing its business in the post-pandemic era.
