While many people get excited about shopping, Murali Murugan, the Director of Engineering Mobile at Macy's, is passionate about making people's shopping experience extraordinary. Specifically, he is laser-focused on driving innovation in the retail world. With over 14 years of experience in software development and mobile app engineering, Murugan has elevated the shopping experience at Macy's and Bloomingdale's by bringing tech-forward solutions that have changed how customers shop.

Next Gen Shopping: Fun, Fast, and Fabulous

Eyeing the future, Murugan recognized the transformative potential of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) in revolutionizing the shopping experience. Under his leadership, Macy's rolled out these technologies in innovative ways, such as AR Furniture, AR Beauty, and Virtual Try-On.

With the AR Furniture feature, customers can visualize how furniture would look in their homes before making a purchase. The AR Beauty tool allows customers to try different makeup products virtually. The beauty of the Virtual Try-On feature is that individuals can see how clothes and accessories would fit them without having to try them on physically. These interactive and personalized innovations are just a few of the ways Murugan has transformed the shopping experience at Macy's.

By enhancing the shopping journey through innovative technology and blending online and in-store experiences, Murugan has crafted a seamless retail environment. He brought in a mobile checkout feature in the Macy's app, letting customers skip the lines and pay straight from their phones. He also added an image search tool, making it a breeze to find products. Plus, he wove the Macy's Star Rewards program into the app, offering personalized perks to keep customers hooked and loyal.

Confronting and Conquering Challenges

The path to Murugan's accomplishments was far from linear and smooth. In fact, he faced and fought through countless hurdles, the toughest being getting traditional retail setups to embrace new tech. He tackled these challenges by fostering a culture of nonstop innovation, working hand-in-hand with diverse teams, and showing concrete proof that cutting-edge tech can bring in substantial returns on investment.

Recognition and Achievements

Murugan's work has earned him several prestigious awards, including the Indian Achievers' Award, the Global Leaders Award, and a Webby Award for the best mobile app. He's also a member of the Forbes Technology Council and advises at the University of San Francisco and various conferences. 

A Boundaryless Future

Looking ahead, Murugan is passionate about continuing to drive technological advancements in the retail industry. His aspirations include leading transformative projects that set new benchmarks for customer experiences and mentoring the next generation of engineers. Murugan's vision is to keep pushing the boundaries of what's possible in mobile engineering, ensuring that the retail industry continues to evolve and thrive.

Among the many characteristics that make Murali Murugan unique is his ability to mix technical expertise with big-picture thinking. As a result, his role as a leader in mobile engineering has both benefited and advanced the U.S. retail industry, ultimately solidifying his reputation in the field.