Forrester Research, Inc.

Omnichannel is omnipresent in conversations throughout our industry. I heard the term — and the angst, confusion, tests and even some initial successes around it — again and again at NRF’s 2014 BIG Show. In many cases, delivering on omnichannel is a tall order, requiring significant soul-searching for retailers in terms of what it means to them and their customers, often followed by equally significant investments in fundamental areas such as inventory management and customer relationship management systems.

Strategic brand and design firm Chute Gerdeman has named Jim Crawford as VP of technology and experience design — a newly created position.

Crawford will be charged with integrating next-generation technology into the shopping experiences and store designs that Chute Gerdeman creates for its clients.