2021 RTIH retail technology awards open for nominations
The third edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards opens for entries today.
The awards, sponsored by leading technology service provider PMC, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
“PMC is delighted to again support the RTIH Innovation Awards as headline sponsor. These unique awards recognise achievements across a wide range of retailers and retail categories, from global players to startups,” says Simon Curtis, Sales and Marketing Director, PMC.
“Post-2020, innovation in retail is more critical than ever, with consumers looking for the same personalised, engaging and safe shopping experience in-store as they enjoy online.”
He adds: “Innovation and technology together play a critical role in the success of retailing and we look forward to recognising standout examples though these RTIH awards.”
The 2021 categories are as follows:
Category 1
Bricks and mortar innovation
This award will go to a retailer enabling physical spaces to thrive via innovative technology, even as online shopping continues to grow.
We’re looking for examples of reducing friction in the customer journey, offering improved experiences, and blurring the lines between channels.
Category 2
Supply chain innovation
This award highlights companies that are re-inventing and re-thinking retail supply chains via innovative advancements in technology.
Category 3
Payments innovation
This award recognises 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.
Category 4
Most innovative UK retailer
Who has been the UK’s most innovative, customer focused retailer this year?
Judges are asked to look at the tech deployments, pilots etc listed alongside each retailer and decide which one has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric in 2021.
Category 5
Most innovative retailer (rest of world)
Who has been the most innovative, customer focused retailer (rest of world) this year?
Judges are asked to look at the tech deployments, pilots etc listed alongside each retailer and decide which one has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric in 2021.
Category 6
Most innovative pureplay
Who has been the most innovative, customer focused pureplay this year?
Judges are asked to look at the tech deployments, pilots etc listed alongside each retailer and decide which one has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric in 2021.
Category 7
Technology vendor of the year (UK)
This category celebrates companies that have developed innovative technologies and worked with retailers to transform the customer experience or back-end operations or both.
Category 8
Technology vendor of the year (Rest of World)
This category celebrates companies that have developed innovative technologies and worked with retailers to transform the customer experience or back-end operations or both.
Category 9
Startup of the year
This award will recognise the startup with the most innovative technology offering and the company which is best placed to succeed in the long-term (management, funding, the retailers it is working with etc).
Category 10
Best coronavirus innovation
The pandemic has had a major impact on the way that we shop and the way that retailers operate.
This award will go to the company who has best turned to technology to solve the challenges presented by the Covid-19 era, improving in-store and/or online experiences for both staff and customers.
Category 11
Technology implementation of the year (UK)
This award recognises UK retail technology project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes.
Implementation should have been completed between November 2020 and November 2021.
Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.
Category 12
Technology implementation of the year (rest of world)
This award recognises rest of world retail technology project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes.
Implementation should have been completed between November 2020 and November 2021.
Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.
Category 13
Best Retailer/Technology Supplier Relationship
This award recognises a successful 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.
Category 14
Overall winner
Our judging panel will pick the stand out entry from across the 13 aforementioned categories.
If you would like to nominate your company for the 2021 RTIH Innovation Awards, fill out the below entry form. It’s free to enter and deadline for submissions is November 2021.
Any queries etc, please email our Editor, Scott Thompson, at scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com