RTIH AI Awards Most Innovative Retailer finalists include EE, Ikea, VenHub, and Goddiva

We’re pleased to announce the shortlist for the RTIH AI in Retail Awards Most Innovative Retailer category.

Who has been the most innovative, customer and employee focused retailer over the last 12 months?

Judges are asked to look at AI powered tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc  and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric. 

Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process. We received a huge number of impressive entries highlighting companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

It’s now over to our judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, taking place  at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 29th January.

This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room, presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Lucy Porter.

To book your place at the RTIH AI in Retail Awards Ceremony, click here.

Our runners and riders:

EE

EE transformed its budgeting approach by replacing static weekly shop budgets with dynamic, demand driven forecasts. Using Google Cloud’s machine learning and AI recommendations, it analysed three years of historic data to create tailored seasonal budgets for each shop.

These budgets were integrated into its analytics tool, ‘My Store’, enabling leaders to make smarter staffing decisions, offering overtime or encouraging leave based on real-time customer demand. This innovation improved operational efficiency, empowered store teams, and aligned resources with customer needs, driving better outcomes across the business.

Goddiva

Goddiva has set a new benchmark for retail innovation with the launch of Goddiva AI - a pioneering intelligent shopping assistant powered by OpenAI GPT-5 and LangChain.

Seamlessly integrated across the brand’s e-commerce ecosystem, it reimagines the digital shopping journey through hyper-personalised, two way conversations that combine data intelligence with human like empathy.

From real-time styling advice to proactive post-purchase support, Goddiva AI transforms how customers discover, decide, and engage. Designed with a privacy first, GDPR compliant foundation, this breakthrough reflects Goddiva’s evolution into an AI native retailer, redefining innovation in fashion commerce through technology that is both intelligent and emotionally aware.

Habitium

Habitium is redefining global e-commerce in the home and garden sector through a hybrid model that merges marketplace breadth with the agility of cross-border dropshipping - enabling sales across Europe without physical infrastructure.

Operating in eight countries, it combines strong customer focus with proprietary technology, AI driven automation, and fully localised logistics and payment systems.

Unlike traditional marketplaces, Habitium maintains full ownership of the customer relationship and end-to-end journey. In 2024, it reached €21.6 million in turnover, with nearly half from international sales, proving that a lean, tech forward model can deliver both commercial growth and outstanding customer experience.

Ikea

Ikea wants to create a better everyday life for people. It decided years ago to build digital accessibility and inclusion into the way it designs.  

The goal was simple: ensure people can shop with the retailer independently, without barriers of ability and language. In June 2025, it launched an AI tool for alt-text (alternative texts/alt texts are written descriptions of images that can be read by screen reader software for blind and low vision users).

This AI product for improving accessibility creates descriptions for over 400,000 images in 27 languages, guided by the needs of blind and low vision people.

Prezzee

Prezzee’s always exploring innovative ways to spark human connection through gifting moments. Its 2024 Magical Messages experience brought the magic of Santa to life through a hyper-personalised digital experience designed for consumers of all ages.

Powered by AI and audiovisual synthesis, users entered a few personal details to receive a unique video message from Santa, confirming they’d made his ‘Nice List’. Set in a snowy, whimsical digital Santa’s workshop, the experience blended tradition with technology to deliver joyful, emotional moments during the festive season. The result was surprise, delight and holiday magic, powered by AI and made meaningful by Prezzee.

Tahina

Tahina is redefining what it means to be a retailer in the UK. Marrying powerful AI with a deep understanding of human behaviour, it is building fully autonomous grab and go stores designed to deliver lightning fast, hyper-personalised experiences, without compromising inclusivity, sustainability, or ethics.

From intuitive, sensor led journeys to platforms tailored for diverse dietary, cultural and accessibility needs, every element of Tahina has been built to serve the modern consumer. Its innovation isn’t just about tech - it’s about trust, transparency and transformation. Tahina isn’t following the retail playbook. It is writing a new one, where innovation meets impact, and every customer feels seen, heard and valued.

VenHub Global

VenHub Global is revolutionising bricks and mortar retail with the fully autonomous Smart Store, designed for 24/7 operation, zero on-site staff, and maximum efficiency.

Its modular units combine AI, robotics, and robotics arms to eliminate labour costs, reduce shrinkage, and operate in high traffic or underserved areas where traditional retail fails. Four Initial deployments across California include a landmark store at LAX Airport/Metro Transit Center and one at the Hollywood Bowl.

VenHub is more than innovation - it’s a blueprint for the future of retail. By solving the biggest challenges facing physical retail, it enables a sustainable, scalable model that empowers entrepreneurs and redefines what’s possible in convenience commerce.