Matt Louth

Matt Louth is the IT Director at Hobbycraft, the largest arts and crafts retailer in the UK, a position he has held since March 2018. His role involves overseeing the technology strategy and implementation to enhance customer engagement and operational efficiency within the company.

Professional Background

Before joining Hobbycraft, Louth accumulated extensive experience in IT management across several notable organizations:

• International Head of Digital & Customer Systems at The Body Shop (July 2015 - March 2018).
• Head of IT Delivery and Head of Systems, eCommerce at Waitrose (2011 - 2015).
• Business Solutions Manager at Marks and Spencer (2009 - 2011).

His career began in project management roles at B&Q plc. and has included various positions focused on IT solutions and digital transformation.

Contributions at Hobbycraft

Under Louth's leadership, Hobbycraft has made significant strides in digital engagement. He played a crucial role in launching the company's native app, which quickly gained popularity, reaching the top ranks in app stores and achieving over 900,000 downloads within its first year. The app serves as a vital tool for both customers and store staff, enhancing the shopping experience and integrating loyalty programs that have increased digital revenue significantly.123

Louth emphasizes the importance of continuous evaluation of customer behavior to keep the app engaging, alongside exploring future enhancements like AI and voice commerce to meet evolving consumer expectations.1

Education

Louth's educational background includes studies at Bournemouth University, where he earned a BA with honors, contributing to his expertise in IT management and digital systems.

Personal Insights

In interviews, Louth has highlighted the importance of partnerships in achieving technological advancements at Hobbycraft, particularly with vendors like Poq for app development. His strategic vision focuses on integrating technology seamlessly into the customer journey while maintaining strong operational support systems.13

Through his leadership, Matt Louth continues to drive innovation at Hobbycraft, ensuring that the retailer adapts to the fast-changing landscape of retail technology.