Robert Amster, Operating Partner

Bob has successfully served the retail and distribution industries as both a Consultant and Information Systems Executive for over 35 years.  He is a seasoned professional, involved in retail systems design and management continuously throughout his career.  Bob is the principal of the Retail Technology Group – a retail IT boutique consultancy.  He was a Senior Manager with the Northeast Retail Consulting Group of Ernst & Young.  Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Bob held systems management positions for large retailers such as Kmart Apparel, Waldenbooks and Caldor.  In addition, he has consulted almost exclusively to retailers since 1985.  Bob’s hands-on experience encompasses strategic planning, operational reviews, systems design and implementation, and interim head of IT for a number of retailers.  He specializes in needs assessments, software evaluation, selection and implementation, operational processes and systems integration.

His project experience includes over 50 engagements in the evaluation, selection and implementation of merchandising, financial, warehouse and store systems.  In addition, Bob provides assistance to investment firms in due diligence efforts and was the domain expert for IS&T for Highland Consumer Fund.  Bob has provided retail and fulfillment perspectives to the advisory boards of several e-commerce and e-retailing service providers.

He was a member of Bain & Company’s BainGEN network of industry specialists.  He has published in Computerworld and RT magazine, been quoted in other retail trade publications and Fairfield County Business Journal, participated in IS discussion panels, is a Braintrust panelist on RetailWire. and has given executive briefings on information technology in retailing.