2022 RTIH Innovation Awards: bricks and mortar shortlist announced

Jigsaw, Mercaux, Musgrave, Pricer, Ribble Cycles, and Sook are among the nominees in the Bricks and Mortar category at the 2022 RTIH Innovation Awards.

This award, sponsored by CADS, will go to a company or companies 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.

2022 shortlist as follows:

Brain Corp

Covid-19 has tested retailers on many fronts, and bricks and mortar stores have faced an extraordinary level of pressure over the past two years.

Novel solutions have arrived in the face of this uncertainty, one of which has been the uptick in AI driven mobile robotics – such as Brain Corp’s BrainOS, a software platform deployed on shop floors.

Deep North

Deep North helps bricks and mortar enterprises optimise performance of their physical locations by using advanced technologies such as AI, computer vision and deep learning to digitise and analyse behaviorial metrics in the real world.

It also provides software tools such as cloud-based dashboards and mobile apps that provide real-time insights. 

Jigsaw and Mercaux

In 2022, Jigsaw chose Mercaux as its digital transformation partner, deploying its next generation composable in-store platform with the goal of future-proofing its business.

The first phase of the partnership set out to provide a more seamless and inspirational in-store experience for customers by introducing Mercaux’s Assisted Selling and Digital Styling solutions, which are operated by store associates.

The second phase of the project will see the introduction of a trial of Mercaux’s latest solution to the market, Next Generation Checkout, giving customers the flexibility and fluidity to checkout using any payment method wherever and however they wish, be it in-store, online or remotely.

MiniGo

Frictionless supermarket with Grab&Go technology in Latin America. Adapted to low honesty markets.

Musgrave and Pricer

Musgrave has found a way to combine labour savings, improved customer service, greater operational efficiency in-store and sustainability through the introduction of digital shelf edge technology powered by Pricer.

Nudie Jeans and Sitoo

With the popularity of online shopping growing at a rapid pace, it’s essential that physical stores become omnichannel retailers. Working with Sitoo as its PoS and unified commerce platform, Nudie Jeans is a great example of this. 

Ribble Cycles

Ribble Cycles has been shortlisted for its flagship showroom located in the heart of the Ribble Valley and subsequent showroom roll-out programme.

Sook

Sook takes vacant retail spaces and fits them out with a modular, digital fit-out which can be rented by any occupier by the hour.

The screens allow anyone to rapidly create a bespoke environment to showcase a product or service using digital content.

Sook maximises the utility of empty spaces with a platform that drives access for everyone (Retail, Amenity, Community, Wellness, Art, Meetup, Education) at the same time as creating sustainable revenue for landlords.

The company gathers analytics for all of its occupiers which allows them to best understand how to use physical space as efficiently and effectively as possible.

And the winner is…

It’s now over to our judging panel to decide the winner.

This will be revealed at an exclusive event in central London on Tuesday, 6th December.

If you’re interested in attending this networking/roundtable discussion/three course Christmas themed meal event, please fill out the form at the end of this article and we’ll get back to you asap.

RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, says: “Innovation and technology play a critical role in the success of the retail sector, so it is great to recognise standout examples through our awards.”

“Thanks to all those who have entered the 2022 event. We received a record number of submissions and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.”

“I’m now looking forward to deciding the winners with our judging panel and announcing them at our central London event in December.”

2022 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel as follows:

Warren Richmond, CEO and Founder, Situ Live and Revium Group

Mike Cadden, Technology and Business Transformation Director, Start-Rite Shoes

Peter Waugh, Digital & Data Director, Compass Group

Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer, Boots

Dan Saunders, Retail E-commerce Manager, Stanley Black & Decker

Martin Newman, Founder, The Customer First Group 

Toby Pickard, Global Insight Leader, IGD

Matt Taylor, Technology Transformation Leader at EY, Retail and Consumer Products

Amodini Chhabra, Investor, Compass Digital Ventures

Gary Newbury, Supply Chain Advisor and Delivery Executive

Sharon Peters, Head of Technology - Corporate Functions, Marks & Spencer

Nadine Neatrour, Marketing Director, Selfridges 

Wizz Selvey, CEO, WIZZ&CO

Simon Curtis, Chief Commercial Officer, PMC Retail 

David Polinchock, Co-Founder/President, Unified Brand Experience Lab

FOURTH TIME AROUND

Now into their fourth year, the RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by PMC, 3D Cloud by Marxent, CADS, FreedomPay, and Critzr, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Stay tuned for more shortlists over the next few days.