Tally robot from Simbe spotted in Morrisons stores: check out the biggest retail technology stories from April

April is done and dusted, May is up and running, so let’s kick back and reflect on another eventful month for the retail systems space. Here's your briefing on the most important stories from April, including Debenhams, be Retail Social, Puma, Tesco, GS1 UK, Royal Mail, Sainsbury's, Nedap, HEMA, Currys, VoCoVo, Retail Technology Show 2025, and the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

1. Morrisons becomes first UK retailer to deploy Simbe Tally robot as select stores trial the technology

In a UK first, Morrisons is testing out Simbe’s Tally in-store shelf scanning robot.

Thanks to Toby Pickard, Retail Futures Senior Partner at IGD, and a member of the judging panels for the RTIH AI in Retail Awards and 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, for bringing this to our attention.

In a LinkedIn post, he said: “Today, I saw a Tally robot from Simbe in a Morrisons. This is the first time Tally has been deployed in the UK. It has only been in store for a few weeks, and there are two other stores trialling the technology.”

“The tech should help with price accuracy and stock availability, along with other benefits. It is great to see technology being tested in UK retail that can help store associates and improve the shopping experience.”

Seamus McHugh, Head of European Market Development at Simbe, commented: “Delighted to have Tally live in the UK and to be working with the innovative team at Morrisons on this project. This is a significant milestone for Simbe as we add another country and a new retailer to our growing list of deployments.”

2. 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards opens for entries, with winners announced at Central London event in October

The seventh edition of the RTIH Innovation Awards, sponsored by 3D Cloud, EdTech Innovation Hub, and Retail Technology Show, is now open for submissions.

The awards celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our latest winners will be revealed at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 16th October.

Key dates

Friday, 12th September: Award entry deadline 

Tuesday, 16th September: 2025 finalists revealed

Wednesday, 17th September - Wednesday, 1st October: Judging days

Thursday, 16th October: Winners announced at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 16th October.

3. Industry first as Tesco partners with GS1 UK to test out QR codes in place of traditional barcodes in select stores

As part of an expanded pilot, Tesco is trialling QR codes powered by GS1 in a small number of stores.

This replaces traditional barcodes on 12 own brand meat and produce lines in a small number of locations across southern England.

Developed in collaboration with GS1 UK and ten supplier partners, the initiative is primarily focused on capturing use by dates and batch numbers.

This is pitched as the first trial of its kind and scale by a UK supermarket. The focus here is on core operational data and laying the foundation for future use cases, such as linking to allergen information, sourcing and sustainability credentials, and recycling guidance.

“While it’s still early days, we’re already seeing the benefits of connecting our products to dynamic digital information that will help customers to know more about the products on our shelves,” says Isabela De Pedro, Supply Chain Development & Change Director at Tesco.

”As well as improving the customer experience and unlocking new supply chain value, we are testing how QR codes can help Tesco with issues including traceability, compliance, sustainability and shelf-edge communication.” 

Iain Walker, Director of Industry Engagement at GS1 UK, says: “This trial is a clear signal that the retail industry is entering a new chapter. QR codes powered by GS1 allow brands and retailers to share richer, more trusted information - at the Point of Sale, at home, or anywhere in between. Tesco is helping to lead the way, demonstrating how digital product identity can unlock both commercial and consumer value.”

4. Record breaking Retail Technology Show 2025 wins plaudits from Sainsbury's, Rituals and Ann Summers

Nineteen Group, the organisers of Retail Technology Show, report that 14,116 retail professionals attended the 2025 event, which took place at London ExCel on 2nd-3rd April,  an 11% increase on the previous year and the highest ever turn out.

There were 483 exhibitors from across the retail tech landscape, and 125 speakers on the various stages around the showfloor.

Penny Grivea, former Managing Director UK & Ireland at Rituals, remarked that RTS helps retailers remain “relevant” and “stay on their toes.”  While Maria Hollins, CEO at Ann Summers, added: “you’ll always find something that’s interesting you can take away to your own business.” 

Prerana Issar, Chief People Officer & Head of Corporate Affairs at Sainsbury’s, also highlighted the role the event plays in unifying the retail industry through technology innovation and the symbiotic relationship between the two. “The fact that technology and retail come together [at RTS] is fantastic because they aren't two different things anymore - they haven't been for a while now.  It isn't possible to talk about retail without talking about technology, digital, AI - they are all one and the same thing,” she said.

A conference programme saw sector leaders including M&S’ Archie Norman, serial entrepreneur Theo Paphitis, The Body Coach Joe Wicks, and All Saints Founder Stuart Trevor take to the stage. 

Speaking to RTS, Trevor talked about how the show was a unifying force within the retail sector, commenting: “it brings together all different people, from all walks of the industry.” 

Meanwhile, Customer Whisperer, Kate Hardcastle, who chaired the Spectacular Headline Stage across the two-day conference programme, added: “RTS has become a beautiful meeting point where technology and retail converge.”

5. Nedap connects with Dutch retailer HEMA for RFID roll-out at stores in Netherlands, Belgium, France

Nedap is implementing its iD Cloud RFID platform across more than 740 HEMA stores in the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. Customers will be able to see exactly how many of their favourite items are available in a store via the app or website. Staff will also be able to track inventory faster and more accurately.

All HEMA stores in the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany, and Austria will be live with the RFID solution by mid-2026.

"This partnership is special: two Dutch companies with a rich history, innovative spirit, and strong customer focus are joining forces," says Hilbert Dijkstra, General Manager iD Cloud at Nedap. "We are proud to support HEMA on their RFID journey and look forward to the results we will achieve together."

6. RTS 2025: Theo Paphitis talks Ryman’s blended approach, his love of technology, and Shein 'cop out'

“I love technology. I’m an early adopter,” said the eponymous Owner and Chairman of the Theo Paphitis Retail Group, which owns the Ryman stationer, Robert Dyas and Boux Avenue brands, at Retail Technology Show 2025 in London last month, as he shared his trenchant views on the past UK government and future of the High Street, which is likely to rely on a blended approach where tech supports the in-store offering.   

As an aside Paphitis, who is well known for the Dragon’s Den TV programme and for his Small Business Sunday (#SBS) business network that supports over 4,000 SMEs, also advised attendees at RTS 2025 to play with artificial intelligence tools in order to be an early adopter themselves of this important technology. “You ignore AI at your peril,” he warned.

More immediately, Paphitis discussed how his Ryman stationary estate of stores is using technology to drive customers back in-store after a tough time during the Covid-19 pandemic, and indeed since when more and more of its customers now work from home. They no longer regularly travel into UK city centres, where his physical Ryman stores are typically located. “We went from a £10 million profit to minus -£4 million, but returned to profit last year,” he said.

7. Royal Mail takes on InPost and Amazon by installing parcel lockers at Sainsbury’s stores across UK

Royal Mail lockers are being installed outside Sainsbury's supermarkets across the UK. The first six are ready to go, and plans are afoot to grow this number quickly in the coming weeks and months.

In a LinkedIn post, Jack Clarkson, Group Strategy & Transformation Director at Royal Mail owner International Distribution Services (IDS), said: “If you live in Clapham, Desborough, Kempshott, Low Hall, Kidderminster or Chislehurst, go check them out. Thank you to the teams at Sainsbury's, and well done to the Royal Mail lockers team who are working tirelessly to drive forward our business. More partnership announcements very soon.”

The Sainsbury’s deal marks the first such agreement between Royal Mail and a UK supermarket.

Prices start from £1.55 online for a small parcel that fits through the letterbox. The lockers feature label printing. Customers need to pay for postage online and print the label by scanning a QR code at the locker or request a QR code if they are returning a purchase.

Patrick Dunne, Chief Property and Procurement Officer, Sainsbury’s, says: “We’re always looking for innovative ways to deliver the best value, quality and service for our customers. That’s why we're delighted to be partnering with Royal Mail to offer this fantastic new proposition at our stores. The lockers will be available seven days a week, giving customers an easy, convenient way to drop off and collect parcels via Royal Mail as they shop.”

Royal Mail launched its parcel locker network in December. It now has 1,500 lockers, compared with around 8,000 operated by InPost and 5,000 operated by Amazon in the UK.

8. Currys announces largest ever investment in store safety and security including colleague headsets trial

Omnichannel tech and electrical retailer Currys is implementing a range of new store technologies and safety programmes, which represent its largest ever investment programme in this space, alongside a Safety Week for store colleagues across the UK.

These include upgraded specification public display monitors in high risk stores, trialling and rolling out new approaches to product security, investment in intelligence collection and analysis, and increased spend on guarding and surveillance.  

In partnership with VoCoVo, colleague headsets are currently being trialled across selected stores and rolled out to all locations by the end of May. Feedback so far has been positive, with colleagues noting that being able to instantly talk to their peers across large stores makes them feel safer, especially when confronted with shoplifters.  

It is also improving in-store experience for customers, who can request assistance by clicking a button at the store front that notifies the shop floor team via their headsets.  

Currys is partnering with Auror to introduce crime reporting software. The platform speeds up and improves the accuracy of crime reporting, with the aim of driving focus on repeat offenders to prevent crime and reduce loss.

9. London calling as Puma gears up to launch first ever European flagship store in autumn 2025

Puma is set to open a new store in the heart of London’s West End during autumn 2025, marking the brand’s first ever European flagship.

Located close to Selfridges and Bond Street tube station, the 24,000 square-foot space promises “an immersive, interactive experience that blends sports performance and technology with cutting-edge streetwear designs”.

“After unveiling our flagship store in Las Vegas last year, we’re incredibly excited to announce that our first flagship store in Europe will open later this year,” says Arne Freundt, CEO at Puma.

“Our London flagship store is an important part of our brand elevation strategy. It brings the best of the our brand to life for our consumers and showcases our latest innovations and design newness as part of an immersive experience. We look forward to moving into our new home of the brand in one of the most vibrant global cities and to exciting our consumers.”

10. Debenhams signs with be Retail Social virtual try on platform for fashion and beauty brands

be Retail Social, a virtual fitting room and try on platform for fashion, sportswear and beauty, has entered into an agreement with Debenhams.  

Debenhams will be using the platform firstly in its beauty products, before extending to cover its various fashion and clothing brands.   

Daniel Finley, CEO at Debenhams, says: “We are always looking for ways to provide a differentiated and enhanced customer experience, giving users more engaging and personalised ways to consider our range of products and make more informed purchasing decisions.”

“We were impressed with the team at be Retail Social - their knowledge of issues and missed opportunities in the sector, and how they have solved these with their platform to benefit both customers and us, our brands. It’s quite remarkable what we can now deliver through them as a partner.”

“We love innovation and think the use of moving, personalised human avatars with social influence is a real step forward in the virtual try-on space for beauty and fashion and already seeing tangible benefits.”