Gary Laben to Lead Retail Data and Tech Firm Trax

Former Dynata Chief Gary Laben has joined retail and consumer goods analytics and inventory optimisation firm Trax, as CEO.

Trax describes its offer as 'Signal-Based Merchandising'. The company uses proprietary image recognition, machine learning and IoT platforms to convert photos of retail shelves into shelf and store-level insights, and gives clients on-demand merchandising capabilities to optimise product placement and inventory management. Three years ago it raised $640m in a Series E round of funding. With locations in the USA, Singapore, Hungary, China, Mexico and Israel, the firm serves customers in more than 90 countries worldwide.

Laben (pictured) brings three decades of global experience in information services and technology, including strategic planning, product development, operational excellence and business transformation. Moving to head up Research Now in 2016, he led the firm's merger eighteen months later with SSI to create Dynata, which he then led as CEO until last year, tripling its revenue and building the company to 5,500 employees spanning more than 40 countries. Prior to this he was Global Chief Data Officer at Wunderman and CEO of global marketing services firm KBM Group; and earlier he worked at Experian, TRW, and Dun & Bradstreet. He is an active investor, board member, and advisor to numerous companies and organizations.

At Trax, Laben is charged with leading a new phase of growth, and develop its solutions for CPG manufacturers, retailers and shoppers.

Joel Bar-El, Trax Executive Chairman comments: 'Gary's background is the ideal combination of technology-driven information services experience, proven leadership, and innovative market and product development. With our continued momentum in the global retail sector, we're investing in a leader who will elevate Trax to the next level'.

Web site: www.traxretail.com .