Zahid Ansari
VP-Information & Retail Technology
Forever New
As a seasoned technology and business leader at Forever New, a Melbourne-based global women’s fashion brand, Zahid Ansari specialises in driving business transformations through cutting-edge digital Technologies. With 20 years of experience, he has pioneered industry-first solutions in retail, collaborating with global consumer-facing brands across retail, QSR, FMCG, and hospitality. His strategic planning skills span IT and business strategies, policy formulation, and guideline implementation.Zahid is passionate about delivering innovative technological solutions for business growth. Recognised as a ‘Tech Icon of the Year’ for two consecutive years, he has been featured in top publications. He also holds expertise as an ITIL Certiȱ ed Practitioner and Microsoft Certiȱ ed Professional.
Key Implementation in the last two years
- RFID for stock reconciliation and omnichannel sales
- AI-powered stock allocations and customer-segmentation solutions
Impact of the implementation
- Better inventory utilisation
- Increase in sales and product availability
- Understanding customer behaviour and personalised communications
3 Key Learnings
- Technology transformation is a continuous process, as technology is advancing rapidly.
- Balancing innovation with stability – While innovation is key to staying competitive, maintaining stability and reliability in IT systems is equally important.
- Understanding business dynamics is important, no solution fits all.
Career History
- Forever New Clothing
VP- Information Technology Nov 2021- present - Dyson
IT Head- India and SEA Sep 2017 – Nov 2021 - Adidas Group
IT Infra & Operations Manager Global IT Oct 2012 – Sep 2017 - McDonald’s India
Deputy Manager- IT Oct 2007 – Nov 2012 - Nestle India Ltd.
IT Executive: Distributor Management System Oct 2005 – Oct 2007 - Gillette India Ltd.
IT Executive Mar 2004 – Sep 2005
3 Game-Changing Technologies
- AI – We can already see that. AI is impacting areas like content creation, cataloguing, copywriting, and SEO, with GenAI enhancing product discovery, support, and personalisation.
- AR & VR – In retail context – virtual try-ons, product demos, and immersive experiences, both online and offline.
- RPA – Particularly in manufacturing, supply chain, and warehousing operations.
Tech Mantra
Be More Human – ensuring that technology enhances the human experience and fosters enlightenment
Forever New Clothing
Forever New is a global fashion brand renowned for its elegant and contemporary women’s clothing, accessories, and footwear. Founded in Melbourne, in 2006 by Dipendra and Amanda Goenka, Forever New quickly gained recognition for its designs and quality craftsmanship.
In 2008, the brand expanded internationally, opening its first store outside of Australia in South Africa, followed by stores in New Zealand and India.
About ETP
ETP Group is a leading Unified Commerce Solutions company with a 35-year track record of delivering top-of-the-line retail technology products across 24 countries in Asia Pacific. ETP's strength lies in its ability to provide robust and innovative retail solutions built with the latest technology, architecture, and design. ETP's comprehensive suite encompasses a broad spectrum of retail needs, from omni-channel POS and retail store operations, CRM and loyalty management to unified promotions, inventory management, order management systems, product information management, and seamless integration with marketplaces and e-commerce platforms.
