Paris-based partner Marc-André Kamel leads Bain's global Retail practice

Retail finds itself in a period of uncertainty, with technology disrupting traditional business models. Getting expert advice in an environment that is seeing radical transformation and rapidly changing client behaviour is increasingly important for businesses globally. To advance its services to retailers, Bain & Company recently announced the appointment of Marc-André Kamel, a 30-year veteran at the consultancy, to head of its global Retail practice.

The retail industry faces a host of changes, with new markets in developing countries, a shift in consumer sentiment, a need to adapt to more sustainable consumption models, as well as digitalisation. The process is by no means an easy one, bringing rise to a host of challenges to retail businesses from data privacy to changing operating models to accommodate for shifts in consumption and consumer behaviour.

Management consultancy firms are keen to offer services in the space to support change programmes, including strategic redesigns, omnichannel offerings and customer journey development. New at the top of the global Retail practice of Bain & Company – one of the globe’s top tier consulting firms – is Marc-André Kamel, an industry specialist with a track record of over 30 years of management consulting experience.

Kamel has been with the consulting firm for the past 30 years. He was most recently Chairman of Bain & Company's global Nominating Committee and previously sat on the firm’s global Compensation and Promotion Committee. He is a member of the Bain & Company Board, as well as Vice-President of France’s Chamber of Commerce, AmCham France. Kamel has written and spoken extensively on matters related to retail and luxury, across major outlets, such as the Financial Times, Forbes, The Economist and Reuters.

Kamel, who has been elevated from the role of Head of Bain's Retail practice for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), will now lead business and client development for the practice globally, as well as manage the day-to-day consulting and professional staff. The work will see him leverage his extensive experience at the top of the retail business, across various projects and fields of expertise, including analytics and product development and delivery model innovation in the fast-changing space. He is based out of the firm’s Paris office.

“Retailers are experiencing a period of great turbulence, but it’s also one of significant opportunity for those that have the capability to reinvent themselves,” said Manny Maceda, Bain & Company’s worldwide Managing Partner. “Marc-André’s trusted expertise in guiding retail organisations through this volatility will be a significant asset for Bain’s clients seeking to strategically transform their businesses and gain an edge over the intense competition.”

Kamel commented; “The retail industry is not for the faint of heart. It requires significant investments and relentless big bets on trends and timing, which have always been difficult to get right. Add to that the pressures of digital disruption, the ‘Amazon factor,’ and rapidly evolving customer expectations, which make success in retail exponentially more challenging. I look forward to working with my talented colleagues around the world to help our clients make the right choices and adapt their organisations to the changing rules of retail.”

Marc-André Kamel holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Northwestern University and completed a Master of Business Administration from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Last month, Bain’s Paris office promoted Sabine Atieh, a Sciences Po graduate, to Partner. Meanwhile, rival Boston Consulting Group added three new Managing Directors (the equivalent of Partner at the firm) to its French leadership team.

Related: The 20 most popular retailers and e-commerce players of France.