RTIH AI in Retail Awards Supply Chain category finalists include AutoStore, Veloq, Finmile

We’re pleased to announce the shortlist for the RTIH AI in Retail Awards Supply Chain Innovation category.

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

AI is being used for automating and monitoring the many individual tasks and communications necessary to move products and resources between the different links of the supply chain.

We’re looking for solutions/projects/initiatives that are improving a business’ supply chain by optimising processes, enhancing visibility, boosting collaboration, and reducing environmental impact.

Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process. We received a huge number of impressive entries highlighting companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

It’s now over to our judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, taking place  at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January.

This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room, presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Lucy Porter.

To book your place at the RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, click here.

Our 2025 runners and riders as follows:

AutoStore

CarouselAI is AutoStore’s first AI powered robotic piece-picking solution. This year, AutoStore partnered with Element Logic to deploy the solution for MEKO, the leading automotive spare parts chain in Northern Europe.

CarouselAI handles a broad range of SKUs from bolts to tires. Combined with the AutoStore system delivered by Element Logic, 60 robots, and 34 ports, the solution increased MEKO’s order fulfillment speed and precision while reducing labour dependency.

The collaboration was a direct response to growing customer demand for speed and the need to make warehouse operations more sustainable and cost-efficient.

Bamboo Rose

Bamboo Rose is transforming retail supply chains with embedded AI across the entire product lifecycle - from planning to distribution.

Its unified TotalPLM platform solves a key retail challenge by enabling teams to collaborate on one system instead of many. Leveraging machine learning, it optimies planning, design, sourcing, order management, and logistics to deliver real-time visibility and smarter decisions.

Retailers using Bamboo Rose have seen up to 40% faster product development, 30% lower supply chain costs, and improved sustainability through reduced waste and better demand alignment, proving the power of AI to build agile, efficient, and resilient retail supply chains.

Dropit

Dropit revolutionises retail inventory decision-making with an AI powered platform for optimal inventory planning, allocation, and logistics.

With Dropit, retailers can see their entire, multi-channel inventory ecosystem in real-time and receive micro level AI insight and recommendations for boosting revenue, maximising margins, and minimising waste, across all inventory decisions, end-to-end, including returns.

It helps retailers turn every store and channel into a top performer, ensuring inventory is placed where it will sell best, keeping best sellers stocked without creating costly overstock, and making decisions based on actual demand. With Dropit, retailers can sell more at full price and operate with inventory optimisation.

Finmile

Finmile is redefining last mile logistics with AI that optimises routes at the parcel level, not just the depot or route level. Its platform reduces delivery routes by up to 42%, cuts operating costs by more than 20%, and lowers carbon emissions across retail supply chains.

Unlike legacy systems, Finmile connects retailers and delivery service providers in a single operating system, enabling visibility, collaboration, and efficiency at scale.

Already trusted by global brands including JD.com, Temu and Inditex, it is creating an asset light, AI native model that makes the supply chain leaner, greener, and future-proof.

IBM Consulting

The IBM Smart Green Pallet (SGP) revolutionises logistics with an intelligent handling support system and advanced data services.

Made from recycled and recyclable plastic in France, the durable pallet integrates IoT sensors for geolocation, temperature, and shock monitoring, and features a unique GRAI code for precise tracking.

By leveraging AI for data management on the IBM Cloud Platform, the SGP enhances supply chain resilience, efficiency, and sustainability, offering over 60 tangible and measurable benefits.

This solution aims to improve end-to-end supply chain quality, reduce losses, and optimise delivery times, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable and effective logistics ecosystem.

Lumina

Lumina is an AI native supply chain operating system built for fast growing retail brands. It replaces spreadsheet heavy workflows and rigid ERPs with a single platform that connects data, plans demand, forecasts stock, and automates daily operational tasks.

Retailers use Lumina to reduce firefighting, improve visibility across channels and suppliers, and make faster, more confident decisions.

Over the last year, it has helped brands cut manual reporting by up to 90%, improve forecast accuracy, and reduce avoidable stockouts and overstock. It gives teams a clearer picture of risk and demand, enabling better buying, smoother operations, and more sustainable inventory levels.

Nextail

Nextail revolutionises fashion retail by using AI and machine learning to optimise inventory management, demand forecasting, and merchandising decisions.

Its platform helps retailers reduce overstock, avoid stockouts, and maximise sell-through by predicting demand at the SKU store level. Since its launch, Nextail has delivered up to 40% sales growth and operational efficiency improvements for global brands such as Guess or Gina Tricot.

This AI driven solution turns reactive retail into proactive, data led strategies that enhance profitability, customer satisfaction, and reduce waste.

ShopAi

ShopAi revolutionises business communication through the world's first omnichannel AI mediated platform, creating intelligent partnerships that amplify human capability rather than replacing it.

Unlike closed ecosystem solutions, ShopAi operates as independent middleware, integrating seamlessly with existing enterprise systems while providing dual Ai assistance during video conferences, enabling private consultation alongside group collaboration.

The platform features conversational document retrieval, template-based intelligent automation, and real-time multilingual translation across 40+ languages. Deployed from QR codes to voice activation, ShopAi transforms static touchpoints into dynamic business intelligence interfaces.

Implementations like The Wholesale Group demonstrate measurable ROI, achieving 150ms response times while serving 255+ wholesale members and suppliers with instant tender generation, gap analysis, and competitive intelligence, proving Ai can enhance rather than eliminate human business relationships.

Vaayu

Vaayu is transforming global retail supply chains through its AI powered climate technology platform, enabling companies to reduce environmental impact in real-time.

Purpose built for retail, Vaayu uses primary data, quality secondary data and Generative and Predictive AI to create accurate product level footprints and model impact across Scopes 1, 2 and 3.

The platform integrates seamlessly with systems (POS, PLMs, ERPs), automating traceability and emissions tracking across product, packaging, logistics and more. Vaayu’s connected insights drive informed decision-making, supporting compliance, efficiency and circularity. Trusted by partners, including Klarna, Triumph, On and more, it is redefining climate accountability across global supply chains.

Veloq

Veloq is transforming online grocery logistics with an AI native fulfillment platform built to optimise every link in the supply chain.

Developed within Rohlik Group and now launched globally, Veloq unifies forecasting, routing, labour management, and automated picking into one intelligent system.

Its real-time AI engine enhances visibility, slashes food waste to just 0.5%, and enables 95% on-time, error free deliveries, including fresh and frozen goods.

Veloq replaces fragmented legacy systems, empowering grocers to scale same-day delivery profitably and sustainably. With proven performance across five markets, it’s setting a new benchmark for AI driven efficiency in modern retail supply chains.