Rick West: Transforming Field Data into Scalable AI-Powered Retail Insights

About Rick West: Rick West is the husband of one, father of three, Grandaddy of two, and a friend to many. He is an experienced CEO and serial co-founder with a focus on technology, innovation, and consumer packaged goods. After nearly two decades leading in the retail industry across the United States, Hong Kong, and Thailand, Rick stepped into entrepreneurship more than sixteen years ago and has since launched and bootstrapped multiple ventures. 

As the co-founder of Field Agent—later rebranded as Storesight through its expansion into AI-driven data visualization—he pioneered the use of mobile technology to transform in-store research, moving from disposable cameras to millions of crowdsourced photos, shopper insights, and ultimately virtual store walks powered by machine learning. Today, Rick continues to build at the intersection of data, retail, and AI while serving as a speaker and mentor, inspiring others with lessons learned from scaling startups, navigating global markets, and creating businesses that work while you sleep.

In this episode, Gary and Rick West discuss:

• Evolution of mobile apps as tools for gathering shopper and retail insights
• Shifts in consumer research methods from in-person visits to digital participation
• Application of AI and machine learning in analyzing retail environments
• Expansion of scalable data platforms into new industries and markets

Key Takeaways:

• Engaging everyday shoppers through mobile apps to collect photos and data directly from store shelves enables businesses to replace expensive, outdated research methods with faster, scalable, and more authentic insights, providing real-time visibility into retail conditions.
• Combining quantitative data (e.g., shelf photos) with qualitative shopper feedback (e.g., pricing perceptions, alternative purchase choices) empowers decision-makers to move beyond compliance checks and develop marketing and distribution strategies based on a deeper understanding of consumer behavior.
• Transitioning from reports based on months-old data to near real-time intelligence allows companies to react to shelf changes, competitor actions, and pricing shifts within hours or days, offering a significant advantage in making high-stakes retail decisions.
• Expanding AI-powered analysis from broad shelf-level trends to SKU-level visibility, and applying these insights to industries beyond retail (such as quick-service restaurants and service venues), demonstrates how advancing technology can unlock new growth opportunities and competitive advantages. 

“You’re not talking in months and days, you’re talking hours and days, and so you’re making more informed, relevant decisions because you have not real-time, but near real-time data.” — Rick West

Connect with Rick West: 

Website: https://storesight.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickwest01/

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To get in touch with Gary:

Website: https://betterpathtraining.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsinderbrand/

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