Shipt names former COO Raj Kapoor as new CEO
Shipt appoints Raj Kapoor as new CEO, marking a leadership shift after Kamau Witherspoon’s tenure as the company prepares for continued growth in grocery delive
Raj Kapoor, who previously served as chief operating officer at Shipt, will resume his role as the company’s CEO on October 18, the company announced in a press release. During his earlier tenure from 2022, Kapoor helped drive profitable expansion and broadened product availability before moving to Target as senior vice president of marketplace. There, he strengthened the retailer’s growth strategy and membership program.
Kapoor takes over from Kamau Witherspoon, who has led Shipt since 2019 and will stay on until late October to ensure a smooth leadership transition. Witherspoon’s background includes over 15 years at Target, where he played a key role in merging Shipt’s marketplace with the retailer’s loyalty program.
As a subsidiary of Target, Shipt has accelerated its investment in artificial intelligence. In September, it introduced Ask Shipt, an AI shopping assistant capable of generating grocery lists from voice or image input. The system recognizes ingredients, creates meal plans, and applies budget limits. Earlier that month, Shipt revealed partnerships with ChatGPT and Claude to expand automated shopping capabilities.
Kapoor’s return coincides with a phase of operational scaling at Shipt, where he had previously optimized fulfillment networks and service standards. His time at Target further sharpened his focus on product variety and customer engagement through membership perks.
The company’s AI advancements reflect a broader industry shift toward automation in e-commerce. Tools like Ask Shipt now automate tasks that once required manual effort, such as meal planning and budget management.
Kapoor’s leadership will center on reinforcing Shipt’s operational strength while preserving its integration within Target’s broader strategy. His dual experience in both organizations positions him to align Shipt’s technology-driven model with Target’s retail operations.
The transition under Kapoor’s leadership marks a critical phase for the subsidiary as it handles both innovation and its place in Target’s long-term vision.
