RETaiL AI doubles down at 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards following 2024 technology success

Last year, RETaiL AI picked up an Editor's Choice gong at the RTIH Innovation Awards.

And the company is back with a vengeance this year, having been shortlisted in two categories: Bricks and Mortar Innovation and AI Innovation (UK), and increasing its staff count across five global offices.

In 2024, it picked up an award for using an existing store CCTV and audio system, and tapping AI to identify shoplifters in real-time and a) play instant preventative warning messages and b) provide footage to staff of who the offenders are and where they are in-store.

"RETaiL AI’s Anti-Theft is an excellent solution. It helps prevent shoplifting and we find known shoplifters do not even enter the premises anymore. Shoplifters are spooked, as soon as they attempt theft a siren goes off and a warning message plays. Alongside this my staff get an instant footage notification of the perpetrator and their location instore. It is a highly effective system and it helps keep my business and staff safe. I am delighted with the functionality and price point," said Girish Jeeva, owner of Premier Barmulloch.

Retail crime has reached epidemic proportions, with shoplifting increasingly viewed as a victimless crime that goes unchallenged due to limited police resources. Traditional security solutions are too resource heavy and other AI solutions rely on invasive surveillance that pre-criminalise individuals, sharing biometric data across disparate systems before any judicial review.

This approach raises serious ethical and privacy concerns while failing to address the root behavioural issues. Additionally, store staff face increasing abuse and conflict when enforcing policies like age verification, creating a hostile environment for both employees and legitimate customers. Retailers needed a solution that could prevent theft without compromising privacy or creating confrontation.

This year, RETaiL AI has been shortlisted at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards for pioneering what is pitched as the world's first privacy first anti-theft system combining audio technology with AI to modify behaviour rather than criminalise individuals.

Unlike traditional surveillance that monitors people, its solution tracks products in 3D space, providing real-time audible alerts within three to five seconds when theft is detected. This approach has resulted in reduced criminality through Nudge Theory.

Retailers have warmly welcomed the system across all stakeholder groups. Store managers report a fundamental shift in workplace atmosphere: "Previously, we scrutinised everything - everyone seemed suspicious. Now we can relax, knowing the system alerts us when necessary."

Staff particularly value reduced confrontational encounters. One associate explained: "The system removes pressure from challenging customers about age or behaviour. Automated announcements handle difficult conversations, and customers respond better to this 'voice from above' than direct staff intervention."

Beyond security, store owners report unexpected business growth. One commented: "Whilst theft reduction was expected, we hadn't anticipated customers' enthusiasm for the customised music. Extended browsing time translates directly into increased sales."

“In the year between our first RTIH award nomination and this one, RETaiL AI has grown from a team of seven operating through an office at Ayr beach, to over 40 people operating from three UK offices, an ICT assembly and distribution centre, two international offices and five private cloud driven DataCube centres,” said John Prendergrast, Founder, COO and Head of Technology at RETaiL AI.

“Where our nearest rivals needed tens of millions in investment to build a pale shadow of our capabilities, the RETaiL AI team has developed, deployed and supported bleeding-edge AI solutions on live platforms without charging its retailer development partners a penny for AI subscriptions to date.”

He added: “This couldn’t have been possible without the patience of core retailers like Shahid Razzaq, Girish Jeeva, Danial Nadeem, Harris Aslam, Raheem Razzaq, Sandeep Bains, Dan Brown, Anand Cheema, Wendy Stephen, Zayn’s Razzaq, George Phillips, Priyesh Vekaria and Nishi Patel, or the support of David Young and the team at the FSE.”

“Together we have created something with the potential to impact a societal level security problem affecting an entire industry while improving staff safety, customer experience, promotional awareness and ultimately dwell time and basket spend… and we did it for pennies instead of pounds.”