Jack Johnson is leaving Ocado after almost five years to join Joybuy, as the JD.com-owned ecommerce platform ramps up its European expansion.
Johnson took to LinkedIn to explain he will depart the online grocer to lead and build Joybuy’s retail media business across the UK and Europe.
He described his departure from Ocado Retail as “incredibly bittersweet”, as the creation of Ocado Ads and Beet by Ocado was “one of the most challenging, rewarding, and flat-out fun experiences” of his career.
He thanked the Ocado Ads team, brand partners and the wider Ocado business, adding that he was “so grateful for everything we built together”.
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Joybuy has positioned itself as a challenger in the ecommerce market, with a proposition spanning consumer electronics, appliances, beauty, groceries, homeware and baby products, supported by JD.com’s logistics and fulfilment infrastructure.
Joybuy’s UK boss Matthew Nobbs had previously said the retailer was looking to “shake up the UK ecommerce market” as it targets growth against major online and multichannel rivals.
The incoming executive added he would be “continuing the journey through retail media” by joining Joybuy at the end of the month, describing the sector as “the most exciting industry in advertising”.
He added: “Being part of what promises to be one of the most exciting retail launches in a generation was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.”
His appointment underlines the growing importance of retail media as retailers look to monetise customer data, build advertiser services and create new revenue streams alongside their core ecommerce operations.
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