2022 RTIH Innovation Awards: supply chain shortlist announced

Berkshire Grey, 1MRobotics, Tesco, and Starship Technologies are among the nominees in the Supply Chain category at the 2022 RTIH Innovation Awards.

This award highlights companies that are re-inventing and re-thinking retail supply chains via innovative advancements in technology.

2022 shortlist as follows:

1MRobotics

1MRobotics develops robotic dark stores designed specifically to meet the need for rapid delivery (addressing quick expansion and optimal unit economics).

Berkshire Grey

Berkshire Grey has played a key role in tackling global supply chain issues by helping companies automate their warehouse operations with AI and robotics technologies. 

Fashinza

Amidst the supply chain challenges and disruptions brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, one company is on a mission to digitise the supply chain to make it more efficient, transparent, fast and sustainable.

Fashinza, an AI driven B2B marketplace and real-time global supply chain platform for fashion brands and retailers, has emerged to offer solutions for clients including Forever 21, Spencer’s and Clovia.

Focal

With its technology in use in retailers around the world, including Walmart, Piggly Wiggly and CoOpportunity Market, Focal has demonstrated the true power of what real-time, accurate inventory data can do for supply chains, leading to fuller shelves and happier, more loyal customers as well as more revenue for the client.

ProGlove

MARK 3 from ProGlove is a wearable barcode scanner which operators wear at the back of the hand. At distances from 4 inches to 20 feet, MARK 3 processes all common 1D and 2D barcodes. The device also covers longer scanning ranges with bigger barcodes.

Quiet Platforms

Quiet Platforms is building an open source, interoperable value chain operation.

By meshing the participants into a physical and digital plug and play orchestration engine, Quiet Platforms variablises both hard and soft assets to provide on-demand, elastic access for its participants.

It says that this network not only levels the playing field for all, but helps brands to focus on what they do best - brand activities like product and marketing.

Tapestry and e2open

Tapestry is expanding into new product categories and emerging markets and needed to address the complex challenges of international sourcing and supply chain processes.

e2open’s cloud-based platform solutions centralise global sourcing processes and streamline supplier collaboration with Tapestry’s sourcing and supply chain teams.

Tesco/Starship Technologies

Tesco is working with Starship, an autonomous driving technology specialist, to help with last mile delivery.

The small basket delivery service operates out of 18 Express stores in Milton Keynes and Northampton.

Customers place orders via the Starship app and Tesco colleagues pick the order before placing the items in the robot – the system can even deliver alcohol using automated age verification.

Tesco now has a dedicated fleet of Starship robots and is measuring how that impacts customer experience.

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.