Myer Appoints Olivia Wirth as Chair

Myer appoints ex-Qantas Loyalty CEO Olivia Wirth as executive chairwoman, signaling growth and investment focus, bolstered by successful Myer One loyalty program.

March 19, 2024

A photo of the author - Simon Rowles
Simon Rowles
Founder, CEO

Leadership Change at Department Store Myer

Myer, a leading department store, has recently appointed Olivia Wirth, former CEO of Qantas Loyalty, as its executive chairwoman. In this new role, Wirth is not stepping in as CEO but is expected to facilitate rapid changes and strategic advancements in the company.

Strategic Focus and Background

Olivia Wirth brings a wealth of experience in the domains of loyalty, data analytics, and e-commerce. Her previous success in expanding the Qantas Loyalty program, where she significantly boosted both earnings and membership, signals a promising horizon for Myer. With a clear mandate for investment, her leadership is poised to steer Myer into a robust growth phase.

Impact on Market Share and Loyalty Program Growth

Under Wirth's leadership, Myer aims to enhance its competitive stance against specialist retailers. This strategic positioning has been markedly evident through the effectiveness of the Myer One loyalty program. Offering compelling discount opportunities, the program has shown impressive growth over the past year:

  • Active membership has increased to 4.3 million, marking a 5.7% rise in the last 12 months.
  • The proportion of sales driven by loyalty members has escalated significantly, rising from 67.5% in 2018 to 76.2% recently.

Wirth's Previous Success at Qantas Loyalty

During her tenure at Qantas Loyalty, Wirth transformed the program into a powerhouse, generating over $500 million in earnings and amassing more than $2 billion in revenue. The membership under her leadership expanded dramatically to 15.8 million. Her extensive experience and notable achievements at Qantas Loyalty make her an invaluable asset to Myer as it navigates forward.