RTIH AI IN RETAIL AWARDS
RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries.
As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.
With 2025 set to be the year when AI and especially gen AI shake off the ‘heavily hyped’ tag and become embedded in retail business processes, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.
Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.
Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.
Please email our Editor, Scott Thompson, if you have any questions or need further information: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com
FAQs
Is there a fee to enter the awards?: No, it is free of charge.
Can I enter across multiple categories: Yes.
Do I need to complete all the sections in the entry form? No, but the more information you provide, the better chance you have of producing a successful submission.
Is there a certain timeframe for nominated projects, initiatives etc? Yes, nominated projects, initiatives etc should have been completed (or substantially completed) during the last 12 months.
Who has visibility of our completed entry form and what information will be public should we win or be shortlisted? Only our Editor, Scott Thompson, and judging panel will view submissions. The information provided in the summary section of the entry form will be made public.
Do you only accept entries from UK-based companies? No, we accept entries from all parts of the world.
What is the shortlists process? Shortlists will be announced in July 2025, then shortlisted entries will be sent to our independent judging panel who will decide upon the winners and highly commended submissions. Shortlisted companies will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September 2o25.
Do winners and highly commended companies receive post-event coverage? Yes, post-event coverage includes articles on our website and also an in-depth awards review in our printed magazine. There is also the opportunity for a company profile type piece to be published on our site and within our magazine.
When is the deadline for 2025 submissions? Friday, 18th July.
When will the 2025 winners be revealed? Winners will be announced at an event at The Barbican in Central London on Wednesday, 3rd September. This will kick off with a drinks reception, followed by a three course meal, awards ceremony, and after party featuring DJ until midnight.
Who will be judging the RTIH AI in Retail Awards?
Glen Richardson, Non-Executive Director, PoundFun and former COO, The Range
Nina Mimica, Chief Innovation and Digitalisation Officer, Studenac market
Andy Baldauf, former Product Manager Digital Services - Total Store, Migros Supermarkt
Vineta Bajaj, Group CFO, Rohlik Group
Nadine Neatrour, Chief Marketing Officer, Gordon Ramsay Restaurants
Mike Cadden, Chief Technology Officer, Marie Curie
Carole Kingsbury, Chief Technology Officer, C&C Group
Christine Russo, Industry Analyst and Retail Influencer
Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer, Boots
Natalie Berg, Retail Analyst and Founder, NBK Retail
Gregg London, Supply Chain Consultant
Scott Thompson, Editor and Founder, Retail Technology Innovation Hub
Emma Thompson, Editor and Founder, EdTech Innovation Hub
Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner, IGD
Gary Newbury, Supply Chain Advisor and Delivery Executive
RTIH AI in Retail Awards categories
AI and Physical Stores
This award will go to a retailer enabling physical spaces to thrive via AI powered technology, even as online shopping continues to grow.
We’re looking for examples of reducing friction in the customer journey, offering improved experiences, blurring the lines between channels, and boosting the way in which employees work.
Online Retailer of the Year
Who has been the most innovative, customer focused online retailer this year?
Judges are asked to look at AI powered tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric over the last 12 months.
AI and Omnichannel Retail
This award will go to an AI tech centric approach to retail that provides customers with a fully integrated shopping experience across bricks and mortar stores, online, mobile, and everything in between.
Judges will be looking for examples of AI powered strategies or technologies that create a seamless, consistent customer journey across all channels. This could include personalisation engines, smart inventory management, connected customer service tools, or AI driven insights that unify digital and physical operations.
Best Use of AI in Customer Service
The Covid-19 outbreak and cost-of-living crisis have reshaped customer behaviour and their expectations of retailers.
This award will go to an online and/or physical retailer that has understood and reacted in a positive fashion to these customer trends and patterns, by providing exceptional AI technology powered omnichannel customer experiences.
AI and Supply Chain
This award highlights companies that are re-inventing and re-thinking retail supply chains via innovative AI technology.
AI is being used for automating and monitoring the many individual tasks and communications necessary to move products and resources between the different links of the supply chain.
We’re looking for solutions/projects/initiatives that are improving a business’ supply chain by optimising processes, enhancing visibility, boosting collaboration, and reducing environmental impact.
AI and Payments
This award recognises AI powered payment initiatives that are both innovative and customer and retailer friendly.
We’re looking to reward a project that has the potential to increase a retailer’s competitiveness and effectiveness, and to improve the shopper experience. Bonus points if the project could be considered a first in the market.
Digital Transformation Project of the Year
This award celebrates those who are at the forefront of digital transformation in the retail space, achieved through the deployment of innovative AI technologies.
Our judges will be looking for a company that has tapped AI to deliver a significant transformation project for a customer, such as integrating disparate systems, updating legacy technology, empowering the client to create seamless and personalised shopping experiences, and unlocking new possibilities to grow the business.
AI in Training and Learning
This award recognises the use of AI technologies to enhance training and development within the retail sector.
Judges will be looking for innovative deployments that support employee upskilling, onboarding, continuous learning, or knowledge sharing across retail organisations. This could include AI powered coaching tools, adaptive learning systems, or platforms that personalise content based on employee roles, behaviours or performance.
AI Technology Supplier of the Year
This category celebrates companies that have developed innovative AI technologies and worked with retailers to transform the customer experience or back-end operations or both.
AI Startup of the Year
This award will recognise the startup with the most innovative AI technology offering and the company which is best placed to succeed in the long-term (management, funding, the retailers it is working with etc).
Retail AI and Data Analytics
This category shines a spotlight on AI driven approaches to data analysis and insight generation within retail.
We’re looking for solutions that help retailers turn vast amounts of data into actionable strategies, whether through customer segmentation, demand forecasting, product optimisation, or real-time decision-making. Entries should demonstrate how data analytics powered by AI is helping retailers deliver measurable business improvements.
Best Use of AI for Sustainable Retail
Traditionally, the biggest problem with sustainable technology solutions has been in the relatively high cost of implementation, often meaning that scaling them was not viable.
Things change, however, with incentives, targets and climate pledges as well as the rapid iteration of innovative AI technologies driving down costs in various areas.
This award will go to a retailer or brand that has worked with AI technology suppliers to put sustainability at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its green credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits of sustainable practices.
Inclusive Technology Innovation
This category will showcase what is being delivered in the inclusive shopping space, and shine a light on what is a huge, untapped retail customer/service market that suppliers and retailers are now really leaning in to and embracing more fully.
This award will go to a retailer or brand that has tapped AI technology to put inclusion at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its inclusive credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits involved.
Most Innovative UK Retailer
Who has been the most innovative, customer and employee focused UK retailer over the last 12 months?
Judges are asked to look at AI powered tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric.
Most Innovative Global Retailer
Who has been the most innovative, customer and employee focused (non-UK) retailer over the last 12 months?
Judges are asked to look at AI powered tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric.
Technology Implementation of the Year
This award recognises AI technology project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes.
Implementation should have been completed between April 2024 and April 2025..
Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.
Best Retailer/Technology Supplier Relationship of the Year
This award recognises a successful AI powered partnership between a retailer and a technology supplier, with an emphasis on the last 12 months and how said partnership has gone from strength to strength during that period.
Key 2025 dates
Friday, 18th July: Award entry deadline
Tuesday, 22nd July: 2025 finalists revealed
Wednesday, 23rd July - Friday, 8th August: Judging days
Wednesday, 3rd September: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, to be held at The Barbican in Central London.
Become an AI in Retail Awards sponsor
For further information on how to become an AI in Retail Awards sponsor, please complete the below form and we will get back to you asap.