Paul Tepfenhart

Paul Tepfenhart is a seasoned professional in the retail industry, currently serving as the Global Director of Retail Industry Strategy & Solutions at Google.2 His role involves developing and implementing strategies to help retail businesses leverage Google's technologies, particularly in the areas of artificial intelligence and cloud computing.

Career Background

Before joining Google, Tepfenhart held a senior leadership position in the retail sector. He was previously a Senior Vice President, likely at a major retail company, where he focused on omnichannel strategies.2 This background gives him valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities facing retailers today.

Expertise and Focus Areas

Tepfenhart's expertise spans several key areas in retail:

AI and Technology Adoption:: He is a strong advocate for the adoption of AI in retail, predicting increased use of AI across various aspects of the industry, including marketing, call centers, and pricing.1

GenAI in Retail:: Tepfenhart has been involved in promoting the return on investment (ROI) of generative AI in the retail and consumer packaged goods (CPG) sectors. He recently announced a report from Google Cloud showing that 87% of businesses running GenAI pilots are seeing positive ROI.3

Pricing and Promotions:: He has expertise in AI-powered pricing strategies and their impact on retail operations.17

Beauty and Health Tech:: Tepfenhart has partnered with companies like Revieve to bring innovative beauty and health experiences to retail and CPG customers.4

Thought Leadership

Tepfenhart is active in sharing insights and predictions about the future of retail:

• He frequently speaks at industry events, such as discussions at Southern Methodist University (SMU) about AI's transformation of retail.6
• He contributes to podcasts and video series, discussing topics like AI revolution in retail pricing and promotions.17

Professional Philosophy

Tepfenhart is described as a passionate and trusted leader with direct management experience in various aspects of retail, including eCommerce, product management, engineering, marketing, operations, and research and development.5 He emphasizes the importance of embracing new technologies, particularly AI, to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving retail landscape.1