Retail Reinvented: How Deloitte’s Saurabh Vijayvergia Powers Change with AI

I lead Deloitte’s AI Strategy and Engineering for the Retail and Consumer Products sector, working closely with C-suite leaders to develop and implement AI solutions that drive growth, efficiency, and long-term enterprise value.

Deloitte is one of the world’s leading consulting firms, serving clients across industries in strategy, technology, operations, and transformation. We’re deeply committed to driving innovation responsibly and delivering measurable business outcomes.

I specialize in the retail and consumer products industry, which is rapidly evolving through digital transformation. It's characterized by thin margins, high competition, and increasingly complex consumer expectations - all of which make it a perfect fit for AI-led disruption.

Thank you - It’s a huge honor. The award validates not just our technical innovation but the real-world business impact we’re delivering. It celebrates the talent, grit, and vision of a team that consistently pushes boundaries in AI and retail transformation.

It has amplified visibility across both clients and the broader market. It reinforces Deloitte’s position as a leader in applied AI and builds confidence among stakeholders looking to scale responsibly.

One key challenge was aligning multiple functions (AI, tech, merchandising, and supply chain) into a cohesive product vision. We overcame it by building shared accountability, agile execution pods, and a relentless focus on customer value.

I start by identifying friction points in business performance and then work backward from impact. I bring diverse teams into brainstorming early, frame bold but clear ambitions, and validate ideas through rapid testing and executive feedback.

A successful business is one that continuously learns, leads with purpose, and scales innovation that creates tangible, inclusive value—for customers, employees, and the industry.

We’ve stayed ahead by connecting bold vision with real-world execution. The ability to see AI not as a project but as a capability that cuts across the enterprise has been key.

The U.S. provides a fertile ground for innovation, with deep investment in AI infrastructure, a strong talent ecosystem, and a market willing to experiment and scale fast.

During the pandemic, digital transformation accelerated, but alignment became harder. We overcame it by doubling down on collaboration, remote delivery models, and empowering decentralized decision-making.

The convergence of GenAI, digital twins, and real-time decisioning in retail is incredibly exciting. We’re entering an era of hyper-personalized, self-optimizing enterprises.

I’d recommend:

1. Harvard Business Review for strategic insights,

2. The Retail Tales podcast for AI in retail (available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify platforms), and

3. Deloitte’s AI Institute for frameworks and research

I think we’ll see the rise of AI-native companies where every decision, process, and interaction is augmented intelligently. Business models will be more adaptive, sustainable, and purpose-driven.

I’ve been inspired by leaders who balance vision with humility - those who drive transformation without losing sight of trust and responsibility. Satya Nadella stands out in that regard. A little closer to my personal life - my parents have truly inspired me to be a better human version of myself.

Stay curious, stay grounded. Success comes from connecting dots others don’t see—and having the courage to execute when others hesitate.