2024 RTIH Innovation Awards opens for submissions, with winners to be announced in November

The sixth edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards is now open for entries.

The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world, with winners being announced during a glittering ceremony at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on Thursday, 21st November.

This year, we’re bringing you two new categories: AI Innovation and Sustainable Retail Innovation.

AI Innovation

After a barrage of hype, the retail space is now seeing many examples of artificial intelligence creating value and efficiency.

This award will highlight AI projects across the omnichannel retail landscape that have gone beyond the proof-of-concept stage, scaling and delivering results.

Sustainable Retail Innovation

Traditionally, the biggest problem with sustainable technology solutions has been in the relatively high cost of implementation, often meaning that scaling them was not viable.

Things change, however, with incentives, targets and climate pledges as well as the rapid iteration of innovative technologies driving down costs in various areas.

This award will go to a retailer or brand that has worked with technology suppliers to put sustainability at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its green credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits of sustainable practices.

Key 2024 dates

Friday, 25th October: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 29th October: 2024 shortlist revealed

30th October-6th November: Judging days

Thursday, 21st November: Winners announced at the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, to be held at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ.

2024 RTIH Innovation Awards categories:

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.

Download an entry form here.

Category 2

Supply Chain Innovation 

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

Download an entry form here.

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.

Download an entry form here.

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 2023/24. 

Download an entry form here.

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 2023/24. 

Download an entry form here.

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 2023/24. 

Download an entry form here.

Category 7

Virtual Store of the Year

The winner of this award will have either launched a new virtual store in the past 12 months, or overhauled and significantly enhanced an existing one.

We’re looking for retailers/brands delivering seamless and personalised shopping experiences, engaging with customers in exciting and innovative ways via the likes of gamification, livestream commerce, and the metaverse, and boosting online sales.

Download an entry form here.

Category 8

Digital Transformation Project of the Year

This award celebrates those who are at the forefront of digital transformation in the retail space, achieved through the deployment of innovative technologies.

Our judges will be looking for a company that has delivered a significant transformation project for a customer, such as integrating disparate systems, updating legacy technology, empowering the client to create seamless and personalised shopping experiences, and unlocking new possibilities to grow the business.

Download an entry form here.

Category 9

Customer Experience Excellence

The Covid-19 outbreak has reshaped customer behaviour and their expectations of retailers.

This award will go to an online and/or physical retailer that has understood and reacted in a positive fashion to these customer trends and patterns, by providing exceptional omnichannel customer experiences, powered by innovative technologies.

Download an entry form here.

Category 10

Omnichannel Retail Initiative of the Year

This award will go to a tech centric approach to retail that provides customers with a fully integrated shopping experience across bricks and mortar stores, online, mobile, and everything in between.

Download an entry form here.

Category 11

AI Innovation - NEW CATEGORY

After a barrage of hype, the retail space is now seeing many examples of artificial intelligence creating value and efficiency.

This award will highlight AI projects across the omnichannel retail landscape that have gone beyond the proof-of-concept stage, scaling and delivering results.

Download an entry form here.

Category 12

Sustainable Retail Innovation - NEW CATEGORY

Traditionally, the biggest problem with sustainable technology solutions has been in the relatively high cost of implementation, often meaning that scaling them was not viable.

Things change, however, with incentives, targets and climate pledges as well as the rapid iteration of innovative technologies driving down costs in various areas.

This award will go to a retailer or brand that has worked with technology suppliers to put sustainability at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its green credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits of sustainable practices.

Download an entry form here.

Category 13

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.

Download an entry form here.

Category 14

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.

Download an entry form here.

Category 15

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).

Download an entry form here.

Category 16

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 October 2023 and October 2024.

Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.

Download an entry form here.

Category 17

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 October 2023 and October 2024.

Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.

Download an entry form here.

Category 18

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.

Download an entry form here.

Category 19

Overall Winner

Our judging panel will pick their stand out entry from across the 18 aforementioned categories.

Category 20

RTIH Editor’s Choice Award

RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, will pick his stand out entries from across the 18 aforementioned categories.

FAQs

Is there a fee to enter the awards?: No, it is free of charge.

Can I enter across multiple categories: Yes.

Do I need to complete all the sections in the entry form? No, but the more information you provide, the better chance you have of producing a successful submission.

Is there a certain timeframe for nominated projects, initiatives etc? Yes, submissions should include projects, initiatives etc that were undertaken in the past 12 months.

Who has visibility of our completed entry form and what information will be public should we win or be shortlisted? Only our Editor, Scott Thompson, and judging panel will view submissions. The information provided in the summary section of the entry form will be made public.

Do you only accept entries from UK-based companies? No, we accept entries from all parts of the world.

What is the shortlists process? Shortlists will be announced in late October, then shortlisted entries will be sent to our independent judging panel who will decide upon the winners and highly commended submissions.

Shortlisted companies will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ on Thursday, 21st November.

Do winners and highly commended companies receive post-event coverage? Yes, post-event coverage includes articles on our website and also an in-depth awards review in our printed magazine. There is also the opportunity for a company profile type piece to be published on our site.

Who won what in 2023? Check out the 2023 winners here.

When is the deadline for 2024 submissions? Friday, 25th October.

When will the 2024 winners be revealed? Wednesday, 21st November at an event at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ.

This will kick off with a drinks reception, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony.

Who will be judging the 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards?

Mike Cadden, Interim Chief Technology Officer, Marie Curie

Peter Waugh, Director, International Digital (EMEA, LAC & AP), Starbucks

Carole Kingsbury, Former Director of IT, Ted Baker

Christine Russo, Industry Analyst and Retail Influencer

Paula Bobbett, Chief Digital Officer, Boots

Matt Bradley, Director and Founder, Retail Technology Show

Scott Thompson, Editor and Founder, Retail Technology Innovation Hub

Toby Pickard, Global Insight Leader, IGD

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

Gary Newbury, Supply Chain Advisor and Delivery Executive

Nadine Neatrour, Marketing Director, Selfridges 

For any other entry related queries, email: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com

If you are interested in being a 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor, please fill in the form at the bottom of this page and we will get back to you asap.

Become a 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor

For further information on how to become a 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards sponsor, please complete the below form and we will get back to you asap.