Linda Pimmeshofer: Technology people love. Results retailers need > Turnpike leading the way.

Retail is changing faster than ever. Winners won’t be those who add more systems or guess harder – but those who strip away friction, embrace data, and put people first. “The store of the future cannot be built on guesswork,” says Linda Pimmeshofer, founder and CEO of Change Retail. “It must be powered by insights, simplicity, and genuine relationships.” With Turnpike, she shows how that future is already here – and why the smartest chains are seizing it today. And in Pimmeshofer’s view, the retailers who act now will be the ones shaping tomorrow’s winners.

A voice with experience from retail’s biggest players

Every retailer feels it: the rules of the game have changed. Customer journeys are fractured, margins are under pressure, and yesterday’s playbook doesn’t work anymore.

Linda Pimmeshofer has more than twenty years of experience working at the intersection of retail and technology. She spent a decade as an Industry Executive at Microsoft, where she helped lead the digital transformation of the retail sector. Over the years she has also worked with some of the world’s most recognized retail brands – including H&M, Coop, and Bestseller - giving her a unique vantage point on both the challenges and opportunities facing global retail today.

“It’s time to leave the guessing behind. Data is the solution - when used correctly, it becomes a strategic tool for understanding, learning, and growth,” says Pimmeshofer.

Remove friction – add simplicity

Instead of more systems and added complexity, retail needs the opposite: remove the friction.

“Getting rid of the everyday friction is a brilliant approach. Friction kills profits. Remove it, and you unlock both joy at work, and customer loyalty,” Pimmeshofer explains.

When friction disappears, employees can focus on what really matters - creating value - and customers enjoy a smoother, more inspiring shopping experience.

Human Tech - technology people actually love

Turnpike is built on Human Tech - technology that is intuitive, simple, and inspiring. While most retail systems overwhelm staff with complexity, Turnpike is designed for humans. It empowers rather than frustrates, making technology something employees actually love to use. Unlike many systems that require special training or technical skills, Turnpike can be used by anyone from day one.

“Technology should never be a barrier. Its brilliance lies in its simplicity - that everyone can use it right away. That’s when energy and engagement are unleashed, instead of being lost in frustration,” Pimmeshofer says.

Data - from guesswork to insights

Guessing is expensive – insights are profitable. That’s why data has to be more than dashboards; it must drive action across the chain. For Pimmeshofer, data is not just numbers in a system but a strategic driver of profitability and learning:

• Monitoring for profitability: Store managers and head offices can see in real time what works – and quickly adjust what doesn’t.
• Economies of scale: When data is structured and analyzed across the chain, decisions on assortment, staffing, and campaigns become far more precise.
• A learning organization: Data transforms guesswork into learning. Every test, every measurement, and every insight makes the entire organization smarter.

“Data is the solution - not guesswork. Guesswork is expensive. Insights are priceless. Used properly, it’s not just a control mechanism, but a motor for learning and profitability,” Pimmeshofer emphasizes.

Turnpike – not a vision, but a reality

Turnpike is already helping retail chains to:

• eliminate friction in daily operations,
• create smoother customer journeys,
• provide employees with tools they actually love to use,
• leverage invaluable data and gain visibility into what’s happening on the shop floor.
• and build stronger, more profitable relationships with customers.

“Turnpike is not the future - it’s the way forward for anyone serious about their people, their customers, and their business,” Pimmeshofer concludes.

About Linda Pimmeshofer

• Founder and CEO of Change Retail, helping retailers become more profitable, sustainable, and human.
• 10 years as Industry Executive at Microsoft, leading digital transformation initiatives in retail.
• Over 20 years of experience in retail and tech, with assignments for H&M, Coop, and Bestseller.
• Board member of Pricer.
• Frequently engaged as a keynote speaker and moderator on retail, technology, AI, and customer experience.

For further information, please contact:
Linda Pimmeshofer
CEO & Founder, Change Retail
www.changeretail.se

Foto Credit: Magdalena Björnsdotter