Including Iceland and WHSmith: RTIH Innovation Awards UK tech implementation finalists

We’re pleased to announce the shortlist for the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards Technology Implementation of the Year (UK) category.

We received a record number of entries this year and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.

Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process!

It’s now over to our judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony, taking place  at The HAC in Central London.

The event will be held on Thursday, 16th October and consist of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

Book your place at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards ceremony on Thursday, 16th October here.

Our 2025 runners and riders as follows:

Bayer Consumer Health, Zappar and GS1 UK

Bayer Consumer Health, with Zappar and GS1 UK, pioneered accessible QR (AQR) codes powered by the GS1 Digital Link standard.

This retail first initiative in consumer healthcare gives blind and low-vision shoppers instant, independent access to vital product information via their smartphones, while also delivering interactive content for all consumers.

The results speak volumes, with scan engagement rates for Berocca Mind at 35 per cent higher than industry benchmarks, and the removal of paper leaflets supporting sustainability. This project shows how inclusive retail technology can be both commercially powerful and socially transformative.

Boxbar Tech and Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield

Boxbar Tech’s partnership with Rock N Roll Circus Sheffield hit new heights in 2025 with the launch of a brand new high volume solution: the Boxbar Container Bar.

Designed to deliver scalability for major events, these units debuted during the summer and transformed the Rock N Roll Circus experience. With two Container Bars alongside upgraded 3-Bank Units, the festival served thousands of customers at record speed - two pints in just 25 seconds - while virtually eliminatingqueues.

Daily average revenues from self-serve bars rose by 194% compared with 2024, and ROI more than doubled to 851%, redefining festival bar service for the modern era.

Currys, Vestcom and SOLUM

Currys has rolled out ESELs across its entire estate of 300+ stores, delivered in partnership with SOLUM and Vestcom.

The project demonstrates how strong collaboration between retailer and technology partners can modernise the store environment at scale, creating simpler, smarter shopping for customers and freeing colleagues to focus on service. It stands as a landmark example of digital transformation, operational excellence, and partnership in action.

Gander, Iceland and Olio

Iceland has implemented a world-first retail technology project in partnership with Gander and Olio. Using Gander’s markdown solution to scan and recognise existing reduced item barcodes, Iceland completed a proof of concept in Bristol and London stores.

Following its success, Iceland allocated internal IT resource to work with Gander, completing the required development within a month. The solution launched nationwide across 965 stores in July 2025. Reduced-to-clear items are now surfaced in real-time on Olio’s app, transforming visibility for customers.

Phase two, redistribution automation, will follow, ensuring Iceland continues to scale impact across affordability and sustainability.

PMC and WHSmith

WHSmith faced the critical challenge of retiring its legacy POS solution without disrupting operations across its global store estate. PMC delivered a unified Managed Services solution, consolidating support for over 4,600 store devices under a single, always-on service desk.

This model blended legacy system expertise with future-ready support, ensuring business continuity while laying the foundations for future transformation. The seamless transition, delivered without disruption, exceeded expectations and was hailed by WHSmith leadership as “the biggest non-event of the year” - a flawless transformation that reinforced operational resilience and trust.

Trust Retail and East of England Co-op

Trust Retail implemented five self-checkout terminals at East of England Co-op's first fully cashless store at Ipswich Station. This deployment transformed the customer experience for over three million annual passengers, eliminating cash handling entirely whilst streamlining operations.

The software first, hardware agnostic solution provides autonomous checkout functionality with full refund capabilities, setting new standards in retail efficiency.

Located on the main concourse serving the Great Eastern Main Line, this implementation demonstrates scalable technology that enhances customer journeys through faster, more secure transactions whilst reducing operational costs for the retailer.

Vista Technology Support and WHSmith

WHSmith embarked on a major digital transformation by upgrading its legacy copper network to fibre, enabling a modern SD-WAN infrastructure across 635 stores.

Each site presented unique challenges - from listed high street buildings to complex transport hubs - requiring bespoke planning and coordination with internet service providers.

Vista Technology Support's team tailored solutions store-by-store, navigating tight operational windows and strict safety protocols. Innovation lay in our flexible, scalable design and adaptive pricing model, which exceeded expectations. The result: significantly improved connectivity, future ready infrastructure, and a delighted customer who praised Vista's agility, precision, and shared efficiencies.

ZigZag and Lands’ End

As returns have started to take centre stage, customers have redefined what a good returns experience looks like. Faster refunds, quicker collections or convenient drop-off locations, low cost or free options, tracking capabilities, and more, the list of expectations grows each year.

It all begins with an efficient warehouse. A warehouse where everything runs smoothly. Parcels are identified instantly, shipments fly out the door on time, and you have complete control over every aspect of your operation. That’s the power of ZigZag’s Warehouse Management System.