Dive Brief:

• Shipt announced two new c-suite level executives this week with the hiring of Alia Kemet as chief marketing officer and the promotion of Smrutha Ipparthi to chief product officer, according to a Monday press release.
• Prior to Shipt, Kemet worked for McCormick & Company as senior vice president of global creative and digital transformation, according to her LinkedIn profile. Set to begin in November as the delivery company’s CMO, Kemet will be responsible for brand, creative and consumer insights as well as growth marketing, the announcement lists. 
• The announcement also notes Kemet’s more than 20 years of experience in the digital marketing space, which is reflected in past positions held at retailers such as Nike, IKEA and Whole Foods Market. 

Dive Insight:

Ipparthi’s most recent role with Shipt was as the company’s vice president of engineering. Her shift over to CPO, which she has already begun, entails overseeing product design teams and working closely with customers, partners and shoppers to find solutions to their needs, the press release states. 

Before coming to Shipt in May 2021, Ipparthi worked with companies such as MGM Resorts International, Macy’s and, most recently before Shipt, Arteza. Regardless of the company, Ipparthi has worked almost exclusively in the technology sector, including e-commerce and engineering, per her LinkedIn profile. 

“As we move into the next era of our business, Alia and Smrutha will bring incredible industry expertise to our team,” Kamau Witherspoon, who became Shipt’s CEO in February, said in the announcement. “Their collective experience and success in driving businesses forward in new and creative ways will be instrumental as we continue to evolve to meet the needs of our customers, partners, drivers and shoppers.”

Over the past year, Shipt has expanded a number of its platforms aimed at creating a better shopping experience for its customers. In February, the delivery company partnered with Walgreens and 7-Eleven to diversify the retailers it offers and make them more competitive against delivery giants such as Instacart. 

At the end of September, Shipt announced efforts to combat food insecurity through improving access to healthier foods, supporting local retailers through the launch of an accelerator and expanding SNAP benefits through partnerships with other retailers.