Jane Azzinaro gets onboard with Simbe as Director of Client Strategy and Value Realisation for EMEA

Simbe, whose Store Intelligence platform includes the Tally autonomous shelf-scanning robot, has appointed Jane Azzinaro as Director of Client Strategy and Value Realisation for EMEA.

Her CV includes stints at Cognizant, Kearney, and Deloitte.

In a LinkedIn post, she said: “My very first job was as a cashier in a supermarket - and now, years later, I’m marrying my love of digital with my retail roots to help create exceptional customer experiences. I’m excited to share that I’ve joined Simbe as Director of Client Strategy & Value Realisation for EMEA.”

She added: “I’ll be partnering with senior retail leaders to go beyond technology adoption - helping them harness the power of advanced robotics and AI to solve their most pressing challenges and deliver measurable business outcomes. It’s an incredible opportunity to drive transformation in retail, and I’m excited to hit the ground running in this full circle moment.”

David Steck

David Steck recently joined Simbe as an Expert in Residence.

Steck is President and Founder at Steck Consulting and also spent almost 11 years at Schnuck Markets, serving as VP - IT Store and Emerging Technologies.

"One of the highlights of my career was spearheading the first ever chainwide deployment of autonomous mobile robotics at Schnucks - a journey that transformed how we thought about delighting guests and empowering store teammates with in-store technology,” he commented.

"I’m looking forward to working with Simbe’s clients (the largest number globally in the sector!) to bring the power of shelf data to life, so they can unlock the same significant value from in-store intelligence that we did at Schnucks.”

Simbe, via Tally, said: "I am over the moon, grocery aisles and all the shelves to welcome one of my oldest friends David Steck to the team. Dave, you were one of the earliest believers in how retailers and robots could partner to better delight shoppers and empower store teams, and one of the pioneers in defining the art of the possible with shelf data - the infrastructure required to power today’s leading strategies for AI in retail. Thank you for all you’ve done for our industry (and all you’ll still do), and welcome to the team!"

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Automation 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.