Retail technology innovation of the week: Barron McCann gets smart with opening of new UK hub

Retail Technology Innovation of the Week is a series brought to you by RTIH, and sponsored by 3D Cloud, highlighting stand out deployments, launches, and initiatives by retailers and tech suppliers.

Every week, we will showcase forward thinking tech plays that have impressed our Editor and the Retail Technology Innovations Report judging panel, alongside the publication of the 2024 report.

So far, we’ve flagged up sterling work being done by Ocado Retail, Decathlon, Lacoste, Downtown Spirits, TalkShopLive, Huck’s, Wing, Nobody’s Child, IKI, Pixevia, Archive, Therabody, Outform, Kingfisher, Boots UK, Ocula Technologies, Ikea, Carrefour Belgium, Matalan, and McDonald’s.

And this week we’re focusing on UK-based Barron McCann which has created an innovation hub showcasing advanced technologies transforming the retail, stadium and hospitality sectors.

The company, which lists Pets at Home, Papa Johns and Iceland among its clients, has launched the facility in its Derby headquarters for customers and partners. It covers the likes of loss prevention and smart checkouts, hospitality Point of Sale solutions, colleague safety measures and sustainable initiatives like EV chargers.

They are all designed to enhance customer experiences, boost operational efficiency and drive sustainability. The hub also strengthens Barron McCann’s partnership with schools and universities by creating opportunities for students to learn and use the latest technologies. Companies being showcased include VoCoVo, 2024 RTIH Innovation Awards winners and specialists in wireless headset communication and WiFi solutions firm InCaptiv.

SML, which annually provides three billion radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to the retail sector, has a stand in the centre alongside Bizerba, specialists in hardware and software for the retail and logistics industries. The hub also features a working bar which is designed to showcase the technology delivered by Kappture, a software provider specialising in cloud-based EPoS and mobile payment systems.

From the smart retail solutions such as automated checkouts to the networking and infrastructure cabling, the space was built by the company’s in-house specialists. It also features the latest green technologies and promotes life cycle management and hardware recycling solutions.

It was officially opened by Barron McCann’s Executive Chairman and Owner Alan Watson in front of representatives from many of the firm’s key partners and stakeholders, as well as community associates, including the University of Derby and Derby County Community Trust.

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Green retail will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which will open for entries in March, 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 November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.