Nick Vinckier

CEO

Dubai, United Arab Emirates17 yrs 1 mo experience

Highly StableAI Enabled

Key Highlights

Led Chalhoub Group to be Most Innovative Company in the Middle East.
Pioneered luxury retail innovations in AI and Web3.
Co-founded SOL3MATES, a leading web3 sneaker brand.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a leader in luxury retail innovation and digital transformation.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Innovation ManagementBusiness InnovationE-commerceGrowth Marketing

Other Skills

Web3Emerging TechnologiesArtificial Intelligence (AI)Machine LearningDigital MarketingPublic SpeakingManagementTrendwatchingDigital TransformationSocial MediaContent MarketingPublic RelationsBloggingStrategic CommunicationsGrowth Hacking

About

As Vice President of Corporate Innovation at Chalhoub Group, I turn emerging technologies and disruptive business models into growth engines for 200+ of the world’s leading luxury fashion and beauty brands. From Louis Vuitton to Level Shoes, our ambition is clear: to build a future where luxury dreams become reality. I’ve led our push into new frontiers: AI, Quick Commerce, Subscribe & Save, Rental, Pre-Loved, Buy Back, ... Initiatives that redefined how our customers shop luxury in the Middle East and beyond. I also brought web3 and the metaverse into our luxury landscape, from selling out Christofle’s NFT collection in under five minutes, to creating top-selling Roblox collections, to launching SOL3MATES, our Group’s first premium sneaker brand. My career began as an entrepreneur at 16, building ventures in hospitality and entertainment before moving into strategy consulting in Europe and the Middle East. That mix of entrepreneurial instinct and corporate discipline shapes how I approach innovation today: bold, fast, and laser-focused on business impact. Belgian by origin, based in Dubai since 2018, I’m passionate about innovation, luxury retail, and scaling ideas from zero to impact. Outside the office, you’ll most likely find me training in the gym or writing.

Experience

Chalhoub group

4 roles

Vice-President - Corporate Innovation

Promoted

Jan 2025 – Present · 1 yr 2 mos · On-site

Responsible for new business models & corporate innovation at Chalhoub Group.
Named "Most Innovative Company in the Middle East" 3 years in a row during my tenure.
Recognized as "Vogue Business Top 100 Innovator" for my contributions to innovation in retail.
🤖 AI & Automation:
World’s first Gen AI beauty assistant Layla
First Gen AI-powered marketing campaign – For The Deal, optimizing productivity & creativity
Process Automation for Faces – Reduced manual work by 30+ days
Gen AI for e-commerce (Ghawali) – Content creation & asset generation
💎 Web3 & Virtual Commerce:
Best-selling virtual Christofle collection on Roblox – Collab with a leading Roblox creator
CVC Investment in Boltable Studio (Roblox) – Led investment & joined board
First NFT Collection by Christofle – Sold out in 5 minutes
Founding SOL3MATES, the Group’s web3-native sneaker brand – Minted 2,213 NFTs and featured by the WEF
Developed physical sneakers with KACIMI Latamène & Val Kristopher
First wearable for Christofle in Decentraland – Christofle Crown
Token-gated commerce – Exclusive collection for Christofle NFT holders
Christofle quest in The Sandbox – Metaverse brand activation
Co-author of the GCC State of the Metaverse 2022 Report
Defined Group's multi-year Web3 strategy – Implemented company-wide
🛍 E-Comm & Retail Tech:
Crypto checkout for Christofle – online crypto payments
3D & AR for Christofle – Enhanced digital shopping experience
Development of phygital sneakers for Lanvin – First physical-digital sneaker launch
BNPL in 150+ stores across the Gulf – Increased AOV by 150%
Auto-Replenishment for Faces & L’Occitane ME
Quick Commerce for Faces & Careem – 15-minute delivery in Dubai
♻️ Circular Economy:
Swarovski’s first Rental POC – Middle East as first test region
Tableware Rental for Tanagra – First luxury tableware rental service in GCC
Pre-Loved & Buy-Back for Level Shoes
Group-wide Buyback Program - reMUSE with Reflaunt

Innovation ManagementWeb3Emerging TechnologiesArtificial Intelligence (AI)Machine LearningBusiness Innovation+1

NEXT Committee Member

Jan 2023 – Present · 3 yrs 2 mos · On-site

Chalhoub Group's NEXT Committee on the one hand functions as a shadow board to the Group President, and as a channel to amplify the voice of the entire organization to the leaders of the company on the other hand.
The NEXT Committee are considered next-generation leaders of the company who discuss & execute topics & projects of high (strategic) importance to the Group.

Director - Corporate Innovation

Promoted

Sep 2021 – Dec 2024 · 3 yrs 3 mos · On-site

Set up the framework for and started the department of corporate innovation.
Launched & scaled key strategic projects (mainly in the fields of sustainability, web3 and AI).
Hired, managed and developed top talent.
Full P&L responsibility.

Business InnovationInnovation ManagementPublic SpeakingE-Commerce

Head of Growth & E-Commerce

Oct 2019 – Aug 2021 · 1 yr 10 mos · On-site

Reporting to the Group Deputy CEO, mandated for the turnaround and growth of the e-commerce business of FACES and Tryano (respectively Chalhoub Group's own luxury beauty and fashion multi-brand retail concepts).
Key accomplishments:
Improved full P&L: Top line, ROAS, gross margin and OP%
Decreased lost sales % (cancellation & return rate) by 19 points at FACES and 50% at Tryano
Increased ROI: brought down A&P spend vs net sales significantly vs previous years (improving both paid & organic acquisition
Expansion of FACES into 3 new markets (serving KSA, UAE, KWT, EGY & QAT)
Migration from Magento & Urbanbuz to Salesforce Commerce Cloud & Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Go live PIM
Launched fulfillment from store and same day delivery
Launched the FACES app (KSA & UAE)
Optimized Tryano's onboarding process: cut down cost of onboarding by 25% and increased speed of onboarding
Established a new focus on retention, grew database by +12% and set up marketing automation
Recruited, managed & developed key talent (leading up to 20 people at the end of my mission)
Restructured e-commerce team: define roles, establish OKR's, set up new departments, install seniorship

Digital MarketingGrowth MarketingManagementE-Commerce

Boltable studio

Board Member

Jan 2024 – Present · 2 yrs 2 mos · Dubai, United Arab Emirates · Hybrid

Representing Chalhoub Group as Boltable Studio's member of the Board of Directors.

Sol3mates

Co-Founder

Mar 2023 – Present · 3 yrs

Scopernia

2 roles

Managing Director MENA

Promoted

Jan 2018 – Jan 2020 · 2 yrs

As MD for Duval Union Consulting ME, I launched, managed & grew the local office of DUC (a joint venture with Chalhoub Group) throughout the Middle East region, while ensuring connection with HQ in Europe and other international branches.
I led key consulting projects for large-scale corporates and governments, developed a client portfolio of +1 mio USD yearly revenue, recruited and managed key consulting talent, in a brand-new market for both myself and the company.
Key consulting topics:
Growth Marketing
Business Model Innovation
Digital Transformation Strategy

(Senior) Consultant - Growth Marketing & Innovation

Jan 2014 – Jan 2018 · 4 yrs

As Senior Consultant, I successfully consulted governments, large (international) corporates and ambitious SME’s on the topics of growth marketing, innovation & digital transformation.
I lead a consulting team, managed and grew a client portfolio of 500k EUR revenue, while developing new IP for the company.
I was part of the early team that has been involved in growing the company from 5 people to over 25 with several international offices, taking on various hats from sales over marketing, to HR and management, before being acquired by the Duval Union (and later on rebranding to Scopernia).

Stereo club

Founder

Jan 2011 – Jan 2012 · 1 yr · Roeselare, Flanders, Belgium

Co-founder & General Manger of Stereo Club, a mix of student bar and nightlife club in Roeselare, Belgium.

Star struck

Student Entrepreneur

Jan 2007 – Jan 2011 · 4 yrs · Belgium

As a student, I co-founded and managed a(n):
Music band (self-published and sold out our own album, performed around Belgium)
Event agency (organising and selling out almost all of our venues)
Music label (managing around 10 young artists)
Booking agency (representing +15 deejays)