Farfetch named most innovative pureplay at 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards
Farfetch was among the companies who emerged victorious at RTIH’s 2021 retail technology awards.
The awards, sponsored by PMC, StoreSpace, Critizr, Marxent, QVALON and Selazar, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
We received a record number of submissions this year across 14 categories (you can find a full rundown of the 2021 shortlists here).
Our winners and highly commended companies were announced during an exclusive event that took place in central London last week and was attended by retailers, members of our judging panel, and sponsors.
Farfetch picked up the Most Innovative Pureplay gong for marking the launch of pre-order collections on its e-commerce platform by partnering with fashion startup DRESSX to digitally dress its global community of influencers and produce virtual editorial shoots, for the first time ever.
It also announced a donation programme for customers in the US.
thredUP’s Resale-as-a-Service will power the experience, allowing customers to extend the life of their clothes while earning shopping credit and raising money for charity.
Snap, meanwhile, lifted the lid on a virtual try-on partnership with Farfetch.
What our judges had to say…
Mike Cadden, IT Director (Sales, Marketing and Customer Services), Office Depot: “There were a number of factors behind the choice of Farfetch in this category. The two key ones were the integrations and innovations with thredUP and Snap.”
“The thredUP collaboration is a great example of offering the consumer a mechanism to recycle used goods and is in line with driving the Cyclical economy and the ESG agenda that is so important now to consumers.”
“With returns being a major drain on a pureplay’s profits, the Snap integration and ability to “virtually” try on products will reduce the requirement to order too many product only with the intention of returning the majority of them. As a side effect, also improving reducing miles per product for delivery and returns.
Simon Curtis, Sales and Marketing Director, PMC Retail: “Driving consumer convenience, value and sustainability, great work Farfetch. I am a particular fan of the donations and re-sale initiatives.”
Luke Phillips, Head of IT Delivery, Studio Retail: “Farfetch is recognising the power of influences and combining that with digital reality to showcase their products in a way that really engages with their target audience.”
Tiffany Lung, Retail Analyst: “I was impressed by their ability to blend digital platform with physical experiences. Also, leveraging their marketplace technology and moving from e-commerce into a SaaS company to help enable partners such as Richemont to strengthen their own digital offering.”
Paula Bobbett, E-Commerce Director, Boots UK: “Great selection of innovative tools to help customers choose and great partnership with charities in the US and UK.”
In conclusion
Scott Thompson, Editor and Founder of RTIH, says: “Innovation and technology play a critical role in the success of the retail sector, so it was great to recognise standout examples through our awards.”
“Competition was tougher than ever, so to emerge victorious was no mean feat.”
He adds: “Congratulations to Farfetch and all of our other winners and highly commended companies. And thank you to our 2021 judging panel; their assistance in producing the winners list is hugely appreciated.”
