Following RWRC’s reveal of the industry’s most influential leaders of 2020, here are the nominations for the people forecast to have a huge impact on retail in 2021.

Today’s most influential retail leaders have been celebrated in the Retail 100, produced in association with Salesforce, ChannelAdvisor and Braze, but who are the leaders of tomorrow?

Our team of journalists have nominated eight people they feel have high potential to disrupt the industry over the coming year, known as the ones to watch.

They include the high-profile retail exec striving to make clothing rental sexy, the new JLP director dubbed a “huge gamble” by some critics and the man on a mission to transform Marks & Spencer’s fashion fortunes.

Below we’ve showcased four of the eight names featured in the Retail 100 ones to watch. View the full list here.

Nina Bhatia, executive director for strategy and commercial development, John Lewis Partnership

Nina Bhatia

Nina Bhatia, John Lewis Partnership 

When Nina Bhatia joined John Lewis Partnership on February 17, she was a new name to many in the industry, having spent most of her career in the energy and consultancy sectors.

Bhatia spent two decades working for McKinsey & Company, followed by British Gas parent Centrica, where she led on the conception and development of Hive, the pioneering smart-home brand.

At JLP, Bhatia’s appointment is intended to support the retailer in rolling out its own innovations.

While only four months into the role, all eyes are on Bhatia – who reports directly to chair Dame Sharon White – to see if she can improve JLP’s operations and performance, and ultimately give JLP a competitive edge.

Ken Murphy, incoming chief executive, Tesco

Ken Murphy Tesco

Ken Murphy, Tesco

Tesco boss Dave Lewis announced in October 2019 that he would be stepping down from the supermarket giant after five years. Both this announcement and the identity of his replacement, were a surprise to many in the industry.

Ken Murphy, most recently chief commercial officer and president of global brands at Walgreens Boots Alliance, will be taking over the reins in October 2020.

While Murphy’s lack of grocery experience has been levelled at him as a potential shortcoming, Lewis himself has no concerns about his successor’s background.

“If you look at the CEO as being the best shopkeeper in the team, it’s the wrong brief,” Lewis said. “What Ken needs to have – and I do know him, and I do believe he has this – is a strategic perspective.”

Lewis will leave the grocer in a strong financial and cultural position for Murphy. The big question is whether Murphy can make a legacy of his own at Tesco.

Jane Shepherdson, chair, My Wardrobe HQ

Jane Shepherdson My Wardorbe HQ

Jane Shepherdson, My Wardrobe HQ

Jane Shepherdson made her return to retail in November 2019, becoming chair of fashion rental start-up My Wardrobe HQ.

The role was a first for Shepherdson, the former Topshop executive and chief executive and part-owner of Whistles, who left the latter back in 2016.

Having pivoted her focus to sustainable shopping, Shepherdson has said she wants to tackle the problem of “fast fashion killing the planet”.

While the coronavirus crisis has impacted demand for clothing rental, brands with purpose and ethical credentials are expected to gain favour post-pandemic – putting Shepherdson in a good position to leverage the market opportunity in the next year. 

Richard Price, managing director of clothing and home, Marks & Spencer

Richard Price

Richard Price, M&S

Former chief executive of Tesco’s F&F fashion division Richard Price joined Marks & Spencer earlier this year as managing director of clothing and home.

Price had previously worked at M&S as menswear trading director, but departed in 2012 having felt the business “was drifting in the wrong direction”. However, Price has said he now feels “we have a real chance to make it special again”.

M&S chief executive Steve Rowe hailed Price’s appointment as crucial to “the speed and scale of the transformation of the [clothing and home] business”.

With existing knowledge of the business and a career spanning mass-market fashion – Price has also held senior roles at Next and BHS – this year will reveal whether Price can leverage his track record to deliver growth.

Retail 100 cover

View the Retail 100 ones to watch in full, and this year’s Retail 100 ranking, here.

Find out what it takes to be a leader in today’s challenging landscape and explore how the face of retail is changing.