Fashion giant H&M Group acquires minority ownership stake in Swedish retail technology platform Voyado

Omnichannel customer engagement specialist Voyado reports that H&M Group has acquired a minority ownership stake in the company.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Erik Lagerblad, Head of H&M Group Ventures, says: "We are really impressed by Voyado's journey so far. After rolling out their solution globally, we’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes in creating value at scale.”

“That's why it makes perfect sense for the H&M Group to deepen our partnership through an investment, which will further support Voyado's future growth and strengthen their offering for other enterprise customers.”

The company lays claims to significant market share across the Nordics and Benelux, and it is now focused on expanding into key markets such as the UK, and Germany.

Erica Sandelin Ekelund, CEO at Voyado, pictured below, says: "Our ambition is to establish Voyado as Northern Europe's most beloved retail tech companion while maintaining profitability and scalability. H&M Group's investment brings valuable insights and resources that align with our efforts to scale faster and expand into new segments, creating value for our existing and future customers.”

Voyado's existing investor base includes Novax, Verdane, and eEquity. While H&M Group will not join the board of directors, its representatives will contribute to strategic discussion in other forums.

 "We aim to challenge the global giants in our field and are well-positioned to grow our market share further across Europe. Retail isn’t just what we do; it’s our entire focus. This dedication allows us to build smarter, more effective products that address the challenges retailers face today,” Ekelund concludes.

2024 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Customer engagement was a key focus area at the sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, sponsored by Vista Technology Support, Scala, CADS, 3D Cloud, Brightpearl by Sage’s Lightning 50, Business France, and Retail Technology Show 2025, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended last month’s gathering.