Best Buy Names Walgreens CIO Neal Sample as Chief Digital and Technology Officer

Best Buy has tapped Neal Sample, who holds the rank of executive vice president and serves as CIO at Walgreens, to become the company's chief digital, analytics and technology officer. The electronics retailer confirmed the appointment through a message sent Monday to CIO Dive.

Sample arrived at Walgreens in October 2023 as a technology consultant before being elevated to the CIO role a month later. His previous position was at Northwestern Mutual, where he spent nearly three years as CIO, overseeing the insurance company's information technology operations during the remote work transition prompted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Brian Tilzer, the outgoing technology leader, spent seven years managing Best Buy's tech organization. Before joining Best Buy in 2018, Tilzer held the position of chief digital officer at CVS Health for five years. In a LinkedIn post on Saturday, Tilzer highlighted his contributions to the company's artificial intelligence strategy. "We now incorporate data, AI, and other technology into the business at levels of scale, sophistication, and impact that was unimaginable back when I joined the company in 2018," he wrote.

Retailers Respond to Economic Headwinds with Technology Investment

The executive transition occurs as retail companies increasingly rely on digital tools to navigate economic pressures, including tariff impacts that emerged following President Donald Trump's April announcement of a global tariff plan.

To mitigate the effects of supply chain disruptions, softening consumer demand and higher import expenses, retailers are turning to generative AI systems and automated customer service solutions designed to enhance operational performance and strengthen digital customer interfaces.

Best Buy CEO Corie Barry addressed the company's cost management strategy during the May earnings call for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. "It is imperative that we continue to focus on executing well what is within our control, which includes identifying cost reductions and driving efficiencies to help offset pressures in our business and fund investment capacity for new and existing initiatives," she stated. Barry also emphasized the significance of international commerce, noting that "International trade is critically important for our business and industry."

Best Buy's U.S. operations experienced a revenue decline of nearly 1% compared to the same period last year for the quarter that ended May 3. In response to tariff-related challenges, the company adjusted its fiscal 2026 comparable sales guidance downward, capping the range at a maximum of 1% growth.

A May survey from Boston Consulting Group found that technology executives are adjusting spending plans to reduce non-essential outlays while maintaining commitment to artificial intelligence initiatives.

Several major retailers have publicly committed to advancing their AI capabilities. Ralph Lauren Corporation, Revolve Group and Williams-Sonoma each announced plans to continue pursuing AI adoption during their recent earnings presentations.

During Tilzer's tenure, Best Buy established partnerships with Google Cloud and Accenture to build generative AI tools for both customer and employee use. Barry attributed improvements in customer experience, operational gains and financial savings to conversational AI deployment, citing "record low levels of cost-per-customer contact and customer call transfer rates as well as record high levels of customer satisfaction."