Robert Parker, Group Vice President, Industry Insights

As Group Vice President, Robert is responsible for the research direction at both Manufacturing Insights and Global Retail Insights, two of IDC’s industry research companies that provide global, fact based research and analysis on best practices and the use of information technology that assists clients in improving their capabilities in key process areas.

Robert has extensive experience in the retail industry throughout his career in management, as a consultant, and in research. Prior to joining IDC to start these industry practices, Robert spent over six years at AMR Research where he launched the E-commerce Strategies service, the most successful program launch in the history of that company. He also ran the Retail Advisory practice for AMR.

As a turnaround consultant, Robert served as acting CIO of two multi-store retailers including an apparel chain and a New England based confectionary retailer. As a principal at Internet Service Provider, TDI, he lead E-commerce projects for several media companies and oversaw the overhaul of the store systems and network at a specialty food store. While in IT management, Robert worked for consumer products companies and was deeply involved in automating the reconciliation of market development funds with retail channel partners.

Robert holds an MBA, with a concentration in decision support systems, from New Hampshire College. His undergraduate work was done at Rivier College where he received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Accounting.

Robert is a frequent speaker at industry and technology vendor events and is regularly quoted in the business, technology, and trade press.