Adam Miller, 49, is the new CEO of Joseph-Beth Booksellers, which has three bookstores —in Lexington and Crestview Hills, Kentucky and in Cincinnati, Ohio— and three hospital outlets, at the Cleveland Clinic, the Jewish Hospital and the Christ Hospitals in Cincinnati. He takes over from Mark Wilson, who left the company last week after 12 years in the job.
Miller comes to bookselling from Ricoh, where he was v-p, retail industry strategy for a little more than a year; his most extensive retail experience was with Lane Bryant, where he served in various roles, ending up as v-p of stores and operations. Miller’s Linked In page describes him as a “retail visionary,” “cx strategist” (customer experience strategist), “loyalty expert,” “change agent,” and “omnichannelevangelist.”
Miller told the ‘Lexington Herald-Tribune’ that he would like to expand the chain into further smaller locations similar to those in the hospitals. He also said he plans to “elevate the brand” and will be working to enhance the online and mobile shopping experience. He also implied the company will use focus on using social media market directly to customers.
As for the existing stores, he had nothing but praise. “We have some of the best booksellers in the industry working for Joseph-Beth,” Miller told the newspaper. “They have always been very strong with the in-store experience.” He did suggest that the company might expand into hosting more on-site, paid-for events, such as book-themed children’s birthday parties.
“[Miller is] is a proven strategic business leader with deep understanding and passion for customer experience and leading winning teams by example,” said Robert Langley, owner and chairman of Joseph-Beth, in a statement. “Adam is exactly what Joseph-Beth needs to enter its next chapter in creating personalized customer experience and brand growth.”
