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H-E-B to build new tech innovation lab

‘World-class’ facility to help power retailer’s digital strategy

Russell Redman

September 6, 2018

2 Min Read
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H-E-B plans to build a two-story, 81,000-square-foot technology facility and innovation lab for its digital team and Favor on-demand delivery service.

The Texas supermarket chain said yesterday that it has signed a long-term lease for a building at 2416 East Sixth St. in East Austin. Plans call for the recently renovated industrial warehouse to be transformed into a “world-class” creative and collaborative workspace for Austin-based members of the H-E-B digital team and Favor’s corporate headquarters, according to the company.

H-E-B has retained global architecture firm IA Interior Architects to customize the space and HPI Corporate Services as its tenant broker. The project is expected to be completed next spring.

“This state-of-the-art space will be a hub for creativity and innovation as we continue to develop the ultimate digital experience for our customers,” H-E-B Chief Digital Officer Jag Bath said in a statement.

“Bringing H-E-B and Favor closer together will allow us to promote collaboration between our two companies as we strengthen our commitment to building out H-E-B’s omnichannel services,” noted Bath, who also is president and chief executive officer of Favor.

The East Austin property is within walking distance to an H-E-B store on 7th Street as well as amenities such as restaurants, breweries and coffee shops. With the expanded Austin footprint, H-E-B and Favor aim to add several hundred jobs to the local economy and have begun hiring across all areas of expertise, including product management, product design and software engineering, the company said.

Related:H-E-B names new chief product officer

H-E-B added that it has established a strong technology and digital presence at its corporate headquarters in San Antonio and will continue to expand its digital team in both cities.

In support of its efforts to become a digital leader in the grocery arena, H-E-B acquired the Austin-based Favor delivery service in mid-February and then two months later named Bath as chief digital officer of H-E-B.

Earlier this month, H-E-B hired Mike Georgoff as chief product officer for its digital team. Georgoff, who reports to Bath, is charged with spurring H-E-B’s omnichannel growth and leading digital product strategy, design and development.

Meanwhile, H-E-B has steadily extended its online grocery reach via H-E-B Delivery and H-E-B Curbside service, now offered at more than 145 stores in Texas and slated to become available at 165 stores this year. Overall, the company operates 400 stores in Texas and Mexico.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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