Dick’s Ramps Up Digital Performance With AI-Innovation Hub in India

by · WWD
Dick's is building out a new AI-focused innovation tech hub in Bengaluru, India.Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Dick’s Sporting Goods is looking to India as it advances its technological know-how.

In a LinkedIn post from Kaushik Das, managing director at DKS Sports in Bengaluru, India, he said he is “focused on building an AI-native global capability center that accelerates data and AI transformation.”

Das joined Dick’s in July, and before that held managing director roles at Catalyst Brands India, as well as at JCPenney, both in Bengaluru. He also led the integration of JCPenney India’s capabilities into the Catalyst Brands portfolio. He also previously was business manager, enterprise business intelligence, for Target, also in Bengaluru.

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Dick’s new Global Capability Centre represents a big step forward in the development of its understanding and use of AI that can be scaled across its retail operations, which includes Dick’s Sporting Goods, Foot Locker and GameChanger. The aim is to grow the new technology hub to 400 tech experts by 2029.

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Dick’s already has some AI technologies in place, such as Coach by Dick’s for the digital consumer experience.

And Bengaluru is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, as the city hosts a tech workforce that’s said to be more than 1 million in number.

Dick’s isn’t the only firm looking overseas for back-office operations. Last month, when Nike posted first-quarter earnings results on Oct. 1, the sportswear and sneaker giant said its new operating model dubbed Pace realigns three geographies as part of a streamlining effort.

One geography, the Americas, brings together North America and Latin America. Another is Europe, Middle East and Africa, or EMEA, which will continue with existing operations. The third geography is APGC, which brings together Asia-Pacific and Greater China. Its the latter that will now have its APGC leadership team based in Singapore, with the change and relocation expected to occur in fiscal year 2028. And while some on Wall Street see risk in the inclusion of the China operation inside APGC due to Greater China’s own market nuances, sources familiar with Nike’s thinking have noted that the change “makes sense” and probably should have been done years ago given that accountability and resources are now closer to the markets served.

And Nike’s Pace model is also establishing a new campus in Bengaluru as a long-term investment in capabilities and talent. India is already an important growth market and manufacturing hub for Nike.