Paul Edney looks back on retail tech milestones including self-service checkouts as he departs Primark

Paul Edney is leaving Primark where he spent the past four years, most recently serving as Technology Director Channels.

He departs as the retailer announces that its Click & Collect offering is now live across all its 187 stores in Great Britain, including, for the first time, all 21 locations in Scotland. The project kicked off in November 2022 when it first launched a trial service across 25 stores in the north of England and Wales.

In a LinkedIn post, Edney, who joined Primark from Lovehoney (where he held the role of Head of Transformation), said: “And that’s a wrap! After an amazing four years with Primark, it’s time for me to move on. It’s been an honour and a privilege to build and lead the Channels Technology function, into the most awesome delivery team in fashion retail.”

Key highlights: Launching the Click & Collect channel; Building a new Digital Technology engagement platform and function to support it; Completing a new till system deployment across 17 countries; Modernising in-store technologies as part of a multi-country retro fit programme, including self-service checkouts in seven countries; Supporting store expansion plans, current record- four stores, four countries in a single day.

Edney added: “A big thank to Andrew Brothers (former CIO) and Matt Houston (Group Digital & Strategy Director), for giving me the opportunity. A special thanks to my management team, you are truly awesome. Our achievements are nothing without our partners, they are so many to thank, but a special call out to PMC, EPAM, Fujitsu, TCS, HCL, Fluent Commerce, Commerce Tools and Zebra Technologies. And now for a well earned rest over the summer.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

In-store technologies will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which are now open for entries, 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.