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2024 WINNERS & SHORTLISTED
Retail Innovation Awards
1. Retail Rising Star of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
This award will recognise a visionary retailer, supplier, or technology solution (in operation for three years or less) that is poised to make a significant impact on the sector. Entries should highlight the innovation, successes, and potential of the nominee, showcasing why they are a rising star and how they are transforming the future of retail. This category is open to entries from all areas of the retail technology sector. Please include a high resolution (min 300dpi) photograph of your nominee. Enter here
2. Online Innovation of the Year
This award will recognise a retailer who has successfully implemented an innovative technology within its ecommerce operations. This could range from new website features such as hyper-personalised content, recommendation engines and artificial intelligence-based chatbot assistants, to new social media tools or voice assistant integration. The winning entry will be able to demonstrate how such technology has improved the company’s e-commerce business and created a seamless customer experience, while also highlighting innovation present in the technology solution. Enter here
3. Technology Project of the Year
This award will recognise a retailer who has delivered a successful technology project into its operations. The winning entry should demonstrate delivery of a successful technology project within its operations and highlight how it has improved the overall operations of the organisation. The judges will also assess the innovation level of the technology deployed. Entries are open to retailers and to vendors who can submit a retail case study. Enter here
4. Customer Experience Innovation of the Year
This award recognises the retailers that are leading the industry in enhancing the consumer journey. The award is open to retailers or third-party providers entering on their behalf that are delivering standout solutions that engage customers, drive loyalty, and boost satisfaction across channels, whether that is through mobile apps, online experiences, interactive stores, or innovative use of new technologies. The winning entry will demonstrate a mixture of physical and digital elements to put the customer first, provide rich data integration for true omni-channel experiences and exemplify the future of retail’s ability to create and retain loyal customers. Enter here
5. In-Store Technology of the Year
This award is open to technology providers and will identify a new in-store technology that could significantly improve a retailer’s operations and create a stand-out customer experience. For point-of-sale technology, please enter that specific category; this section is seeking in-store technologies such as shelf and aisle tools, display tech, camera, footfall, and stock management monitoring systems. The winning entry will be able to demonstrate why the technology is innovative and how it can improve a retailer’s business. Enter here
6. Retail Partnership of the Year
This category will recognise a successful partnership between a specific retailer and a technology supplier. The winning entry may involve the implementation of a new technology project – such as a back-end system, stock process or customer-facing feature – or the development of a new technology, such as a mobile app or personalisation tool. The judges will be looking for evidence of a successful technology roll-out and an effective partnership between the two companies involved. Enter here
7. Most Disruptive Retail Technology
This award will recognise a retail technology that demonstrates tangible impacts on customer experience, operations, and business models driving retail’s future. This award champions technology firms with strong solutions or services that identify a gap in the market or look to improve current ways of working; companies that are on track to become game-changers by helping to redefine retail in the coming years. We welcome entries from every area of the retail technology sector. Enter here
Digital Commerce and Omnichannel Excellence Awards
8. E-commerce Solution of the Year
This award will go to a vendor-created solution that enables customers to get the most out of their online shopping or engagement experience with a retailer. The winning entry will detail technology that is powering the online channel, be it a payments service, marketing system or a solution to fully optimise an e-commerce website. Enter here
9. E-commerce Technology Vendor of the Year
The winner of this category will be an e-commerce technology vendor that has excelled in its field by implementing innovative online solutions within retail organisations over the past year. The judges will be looking for evidence of how the deployment of the company’s technology has enhanced the overall efficiency of a retailer's online operations, including improvements in customer engagement, transaction speed, and order management. Enter here
10. Omnichannel Solution of the Year
This award will recognise an omnichannel solution that has had a positive impact on a retailer’s business and can be entered by technology providers or a retailer that has implemented the solution. The winning entry will demonstrate the issue faced by a retailer and how the solution improved their entire approach to the channel, whether that be in terms of seamless customer experience, easy deployment of back-end systems across all operations, or the ability to gather and analyse business data from all areas of the business in a single, holistic way. This award can be entered by a tech vendor or a retailer. Enter here
11. Omnichannel Technology Vendor of the Year
This award will recognise a technology vendor who has excelled across channels, implementing innovative technology with retailers, both on and offline. The judges will be looking for evidence of how the deployment of the company’s technology has led to an improvement in the overall efficiency of a retailer’s omnichannel operations. Enter here
12. Online Marketplace of the Year
This award seeks to recognise an online marketplace – i.e. an online platform connecting sellers with buyers – that creates an excellent digital retail environment while maximising buyer and seller safety. Winning entries will provide evidence that their technology has provided a superior experience for consumers and sellers and tangibly improved their processes. Enter here
13. Mobile Innovation of the Year
This award will go to a solution by a vendor, or a technology implemented by a retailer that enables customers to get the most out of the mobile experience, using their devices to engage with a retailer and shop whenever and wherever is convenient for them. The winning entry will detail technology that is powering the mobile channel, be it an app, mobile payments service, mobile marketing system or a mobile-optimised website. Enter here
14. Point of Sale Technology of the Year
This award is open to providers of in-store and online point of sale technology that is showing genuine innovation– be that making better use of customer data, speeding up the checkout process, or improving loyalty with promotions during payment. Judges are looking for genuine innovation in this busy space, preferably with retailer case studies both in pilot and practice. Enter here
Sustainability and Ethical Retail Awards
15. Sustainable Retail Award
This award recognises companies that have embraced sustainable practices, such as reducing or offsetting carbon in their supply chain or stores, recycling plastics or packaging, or energy sustainability/efficiency. The winning entry should demonstrate a joined-up approach and measurable results in its efforts to meet ESG targets and become a more sustainable company. Enter here
16. Retail Charity Partnership of the Year
This award will consider the ways that technology allows retailers to better serve their charity partners. The winning entry from a retailer will demonstrate innovative methods for customers to donate either online or in-store, new loyalty programme features, or the way that the retailer is using technology to aid the physical delivery of charity collections or donated goods and supplies. Enter here
17. Brick-and-Mortar Retail Innovator of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
This award champions retailers who have revitalised their physical store presence on the High Street. The winner will have demonstrated game-changing innovations in their store operations, design, customer engagement, or technology adoption, helping to improve footfall, customer experience, and the overall appeal of the High Street. Whether through clever use of technology, sustainable practices, or unique customer services, the judges will be looking for retail concepts that reimagine and strengthen physical retail spaces in an increasingly digital world. Enter here
18. Logistics and Supply Chain Innovation Award - NEW CATEGORY
This award is open to retailers, logistics providers, and technology enablers who have developed innovative solutions to optimise logistics, transport, supply chain, or delivery services. The winning entry will demonstrate how they have navigated challenges such as supply chain disruption, economic volatility, and global uncertainty. Judges will evaluate entries based on scalability, environmental impact, technological innovation, cost efficiency, and time-saving improvements, all of which contribute to a more resilient and sustainable supply chain. Enter here
19. Workplace Innovation Award - NEW CATEGORY
This award will celebrate retailers who have invested in empowering their workforce through technology, training, and innovative workplace practices. The winning entry should highlight initiatives that improve employee productivity, satisfaction, and well-being, such as digital tools for task management, staff training programmes, flexible working solutions, or AI-driven performance enhancement. Judges will be looking for measurable benefits to both the retailer and its employees, showcasing how investing in staff development can lead to better customer service and operational success. Enter here
Payments and Financial Technology Awards
20. Innovative Payment Solution of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
This award will recognise innovative payment solutions that offer customers new, flexible, and secure ways to pay, both in-store and online. Eligible entries include digital wallets, peer-to-peer payment platforms, variable recurring payments, and other emerging payment technologies. Judges are looking for fresh ideas that have been successfully implemented, with real-world examples of how the solutions have enhanced the checkout experience, streamlined processes, or improved customer satisfaction. Enter here
21. Payments System of the Year
The winner of this category will highlight how its payments system provides secure and flexible online payments that can give customers a rapid and convenient experience, whilst also demonstrate the benefits for merchants. The judges will also consider the degree of customer focus displayed by the solution, which will offer consumers either a new or improved way to pay online. Enter here
22. Payments Innovation Award
In payments, the whole must be greater than the sum of the parts, and here entries from banks, processors, card schemes, technology firms, and retailers that can lay claim to being a genuine payments innovator should enter. The judges will be looking for evidence of how a company’s technology could be considered innovation in the industry and how it has the potential change payments for the better. Enter here
23. Fraud Prevention Solution of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
This award will recognise a technology solution designed to help retailers prevent and combat fraud, both online and in-store. The winning entry should demonstrate innovative ways to protect customers’ data, reduce fraudulent transactions, or mitigate cybersecurity risks. Judges will look for evidence of how the solution has improved security measures for both the retailer and its customers, while also enhancing operational efficiency. Case studies showcasing tangible results will be highly valued. Enter here
Personalisation and Experiential Retail Awards
24. Experiential and Personalised Retail Solution of the Year
This award will recognise companies that have pioneered the use of technology to deliver highly personalised and immersive retail experiences, either in-store or online. Whether through exclusive offers tailored to individual shoppers, innovative store designs, multi-functional spaces, or data-driven product recommendations, the winning entry will demonstrate how personalisation and ‘retailtainment’ are used to engage customers, build brand loyalty, and elevate the overall shopping journey. Judges will also consider customer feedback and evidence of success. Enter here
25. Customer Loyalty Programme of the Year - NEW CATEGORY
This award recognises retailers that have excelled in creating and implementing customer loyalty programmes that drive engagement and foster long-term brand loyalty. The winning entry will demonstrate how the loyalty programme uses innovative strategies, such as personalisation, gamification, or seamless omnichannel integration, to offer customers value and rewards. Judges will be looking for evidence of increased customer retention, improved satisfaction, and measurable business impact. Enter here
26. Best Use of Augmented or Virtual Reality
Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are emerging technologies being increasingly utilised by the retail industry to showcase goods, engage audiences, and enhance a customer’s overall shopping experience – often by helping them visualise customised products or how items will look in their own home. This award will recognise a creative and effective use of AR and VR in the retail environment, and the judges will be looking at both the level of innovation involved and evidence of how the technology is delivering benefits to a retail organisation and its customers. Examples of potential entries include virtual fitting rooms, VR-enhanced training for retail staff, and immersive product storytelling. Enter here
Advanced Technology Awards
27. Artificial Intelligence Project of the Year
This award will recognise the successful deployment of AI technology – including generative AI – in retail to maximise productivity and enhance the consumer experience while reducing overheads. The winning entry will demonstrate how AI has improved efficiencies, improved workflows, and reduced disruption. Enter here
28. Robotics and Automation Project of the Year
This award will recognise a robotics and automation project that has offered a step forward in the sector, from the supply chain and warehouse to the call centre and delivery via the retail space itself. The winning entry will demonstrate ways in which new technology has been employed in a way that has enhanced the retail experience and given benefits to the retailer. Enter here
29. Data and Analytics Company of the Year
This award is for those companies creating the missing link between retail and customer data, whether from a third-party provider or an in-house team. The winning entry will demonstrate new and innovative ways technology is being used to analyse data and extract valuable insights that help brands reduce costs, target promotions, sell more products, and maintain customer loyalty. Enter here
30. Delivery Solution of the Year
This award recognises the implementation of innovative technology to boost a retailer’s delivery proposition – be that in the supply chain, stock management system, logistics process or last-mile delivery. The winning entry will provide evidence of a superior experience at every customer touchpoint and consider innovation, speed, and reliability, as well as benefits to the retailer. This category is open to retailers, delivery firms, and technology providers in the field. Enter here
