Dive Brief:

• Art Sebastian, the executive who has led Casey’s General Stores’ fast-growing digital business since 2018, is leaving the convenience retailer, a company spokesperson said in an email. The spokesperson had no other details to offer regarding Sebastian’s departure, including his last day or where he’s heading.
• Sebastian joined Casey’s five years ago as vice president of digital experiences, and became vice president of omnichannel marketing in January, according to his LinkedIn bio.
• Sebastian’s departure comes as Casey’s continues the digital transformation efforts he established over the past few years, including refreshing the company’s loyalty platform and launching its retail media network.

Dive Insight:

Casey’s digital team only consisted of two people when Sebastian joined the company several years ago. As of November 2022, that number had grown to about 90, he said in an interview at the time.

Under Sebastian’s leadership, Casey’s has spent the past few years enhancing the digital ordering experience for its flagship pizza operation; implementing new technologies and customer-facing experiences; and even tapping into artificial intelligence to enhance its shopper insights. 

In November, Sebastian said Casey’s was actively working on refreshing its loyalty program and mobile app, including upgrading its user interface and experience, as well as adding new features and functionality based on customer feedback. He said at the time that Casey’s was expected to surpass six million loyalty members by the end of 2022.

A month later, Casey’s announced its retail media network, Casey’s Access, through which it will offer CPG companies and other vendors access to its first-party customer data. Casey’s became the second major U.S c-store chain to launch a retail media venture, behind 7-Eleven.

Sebastian’s move to Casey’s in 2018 not only marked his entrance into the c-store space, but a cross-channel shift as well. Prior to joining the convenience retailer, he spent nearly two decades leading e-commerce and marketing efforts for major grocery chains such as Meijer, Albertsons and Jewel-Osco. Additionally, he spent five years as a vice president for data analytics firm IRI, and another five as a vice president for Kraft Foods.

Casey’s operates more than 2,400 c-stores in 16 states and is the third-largest c-store chain in the U.S. by store count.