SPAR International and Footprints AI come together to increase consumer connections via new platform
Footprints AI and SPAR International have announced a partnership to develop a media marketplace that supports independently operated food retail. The platform would be available to all SPAR licensees, enabling SPAR country organisations to access a single platform to plan, buy, optimise, and measure retail media campaigns, with the same simplicity, precision, and sales tracking as digital advertising.
Footprints AI’s software sits on top of SPAR country organisations’ existing physical and digital retail infrastructure (stores, screens, instore radio, e-commerce, mobile apps, and PoS data) and connects it into one advertiser facing marketplace, while ensuring each organisation keeps full control of its own data, assets, and commercial model.
“Retail media has reached a point where brands and agencies no longer need an isolated network. They need a marketplace that can scale outcomes. The first phase of retail media was about individual retailers monetising their own assets. The next phase is global marketplace infrastructure: advertisers get a more consistent way to plan, buy, optimise, and measure retail media across markets, while local retailers keep control of their data, assets, and commercial model. That is the shift we are building with SPAR,” says Dan Marc, CEO, Footprints AI.
“Retail media is an important growth platform in modern retail. At SPAR our ambition is to connect the strength of our global SPAR network with the power of local retail entrepreneurship, creating a scalable platform that delivers value for customers, retailers and brand partners alike. By combining our vast physical presence, shopper relationships and data capabilities with advanced retail media technology, we are evolving our network into a connected commercial ecosystem that enables brands to engage consumers more effectively across markets while generating new revenue opportunities for SPAR country organisations,” says Tobias Wasmuht, CEO, SPAR International.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Retail media will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.
The awards, which celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world, have now closed for entries. Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out our 2026 shortlists and finalists here.
We received a record number of entries this year and many fantastic examples of technology excellence driving transformative change across the global retail sector.
Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process! It’s now over to our star studded judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London.
The event will be held on Wednesday, 4th November and consist of a drinks reception, three course meal, awards ceremony presided over by award winning stand-up comedian, presenter, actor and broadcaster, Aurie Styla, and after party until 1am.
Click here to book your place at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 4th November.
