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2. 1000 Word Submission
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4. UK contact details
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ENTRY FORM
2022 WINNERS& SHORTLISTED
1. Online Innovation of the Year
This award will recognise a retailer who has successfully implemented an innovative technology within its online 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 business, along with the degree of innovation present in the technology solution. Enter here
2. 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 may involve 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
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 that the project has met all requirements 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 making a joint submission with a named retailer. Enter here
4. Retailer of the Year
This category is open to ‘traditional’, multi-channel and pure-play retailers who have implemented a game-changing digital strategy or innovation over the past 12 months. The award will recognise technology advancements made either in-store, online, on mobile or across channels that have had a significant impact, such as delivering cost savings or better levels of customer service. Enter here
5. 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 help the environment. Enter here
6. In-Store Technology of the Year
This category is open to technology providers and will identify a new in-store technology that has the ability to significantly improve a retailer’s operations. 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
7. Point of Sale Technology of the Year
This category is open to providers of in-store and online point of sale technology that is doing something new – 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
8. Mobile Innovation of the Year
This award will go to a solution by a vendor 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
9. E-commerce Solution of the Year
This accolade 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
10. Omnichannel Solution of the Year
This award will recognise the successful deployment of an omnichannel solution that has had a positive impact on a retailer’s business. The winning entry will demonstrate the issue faced[LB1] 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. E-commerce Technology Vendor of the Year
The winner of this category will be an online technology vendor which has excelled in its field, implementing innovative technology in retail organisations during the past year. 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 e-commerce operations. Enter here
12. 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
13. 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. We want to hear about new and clever ways technology is being used to crunch the numbers and sift through personal information to help brands cut costs, target promotions, sell more products, and maintain customer loyalty. Enter here
14. Artificial Intelligence Project of the Year
AI is helping businesses across retail to maximise productivity and enhance the consumer experience while reducing overheads. The winning entry will demonstrate the successful deployment of AI to revolutionise retail. Enter here
15. 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
16. Retail Trailblazer
This award will recognise a visionary retailer, supplier, technology product or service (in operation three years ago or less) that is set to have a significant impact on the sector. Entries should detail why they are ones to watch, their successes to date, and why they are changing the way that the retail sector operates. We welcome entries from every area of the retail technology sector. Enter here
17. 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. Enter here
18. Most Disruptive Retail Technology
This category win will go to a company which the judges feel has come up with the most disruptive retail technology during the past 12 months - one that has the potential to disrupt the way the retail sector operates, displacing an earlier technology. The aim is to champion technology firms with strong solutions or services that identify a gap in the market or look to improve current ways of working; companies that could well 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
19. Resilience in Retail Award
This award recognises the most innovative use of technology to support retailers, customers, and staff during a period of disruption. A wide range of factors including the Covid-19 pandemic and war in Ukraine has required companies to reassess their technologies, systems, and processes – both in-store and online – so that retailing can be carried out in all situations. Whether through diversification or changing payment methods the judges are looking for proof that retailers will be ready to operate in any crisis and support their customers. Enter here
20. 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
21. Online Marketplace of the Year
In an increasingly saturated e-commerce market, consumers are turning to online marketplaces to purchase and guide them to the products they want. This award recognises the best platforms and technology out there. Winning entries will provide evidence that their technology has provided a superior experience for consumers and tangibly improved their processes. Enter here
22. Logistics and Supply Chain Award
An open category for retailers, providers and enabling technologies who can demonstrate how they have helped develop reliable logistics, transport, supply chain or delivery services, particularly amidst supply chain disruption and a challenging macro-economic and political landscape. The judges will consider scale, environmental impact, use of technology and innovation as well as cost efficiencies and shortened timescales. Enter here
23. Alternative Payments Solution
This award is specifically about the recent trend for companies offering customers, both in-store and online, different ways to pay. This could be with alternative currencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum, or via easy financing options such as Buy Now, Pay Later to help split the cost of larger purchases. We’re looking for new ideas, executed well with practical examples of the initiatives helping customers to checkout. Enter here
24. Experiential or Personalised Retail Solution of the Year
As other industries offer customers new and tailored brand experiences, so retailers must catch up. This award is looking for evidence of companies really innovating in the way they use shopper preferences and ‘retailtainment’ to personalise in-store or online journeys – this could be exclusive offers based on previous purchases, innovative store design or service, multi-function stores, personalised experiences, invites to relevant events or suggested products derived from predictive analytics. Enter here
25. Robotics and Automation Project of the Year
Robotics and automation offer a step forward in the sector, from the supply chain and warehouse to the call centre and delivery via the retail space itself. Looking for more than just a gimmick, the judges will want to see evidence that new technology has been employed in a way that has enhanced the retail experience and given benefits to the retailer. Enter here
26. Payments System of the Year
The winner of this category will showcase 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
27. 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
