Nov 17, 2011

Wanted: Chief, E-Commerce

Posted by Wendy Weber

What’s the hottest thing on retailers’ Christmas lists this year?

Heads of e-commerce.

This, according to Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal…(and Crandall Associates)!

According to the article, “Recruiters say they’re spending a lot of their time turning up executives who can build and manage websites, handle increasing complex inventory management, and unsnarl the logistical problems that come with developing a new sales channel. The moves are being spurred by the fast growth of online sales and a realization by some big brick-and-mortar chains that they’re still behind the curve.”

“The rush has created fierce competition for talent. E-commerce heads – who a decade ago made $50,000 to $100,000 a year and lurked in the back offices of retailers’ catalog businesses or in tech support – have joined the C-suite. Their salaries now range between $300,000 and $500,000, on par with heads of merchandise or marketing.”

Stores specifically mentioned in the article are:
Target
Kohl’s
Wal-Mart

We have been contacted by companies both large and small…from 50 person independents to large international companies with thousands of employees, to recruit high level ecommerce talent. You may have read the piece in this month’s Internet Retailer magazine, in which I was quoted about movement at the top levels of ecommerce marketing, and escalating salaries.

At the heart of this is the fact that online sales have continued to flourish, even as brick-and-mortar growth remains sluggish. According to this article, “Between 2004 and 2010, U.S. retail e-commerce spending grew from $66 billion to $142 billion…and expected to hit $162 billion this year.”

One thing I disagree with is that one recruiter is quoted as saying “The dream person comes from Google”…in my opinion, this only holds true for an IT position. Multichannel e-tailers need top talent with a background in marketing for retail or catalog companies, not hi tech companies.

Interesting article. If you’re interested in reading it, here’s the link.

In