RELEX provides unified forecasting and replenishment for James Hall & Co. DC and SPAR stores

James Hall & Co., a family owned business and primary retailer, wholesaler, and distributor for SPAR across the North of England, has selected RELEX Solutions to upgrade forecasting and replenishment across its operations.

The project includes planning for the company’s single SPAR distribution centre based in Preston, Lancashire, and both its company owned stores division and independently owned SPAR stores across ambient, fresh, and frozen categories.

“As our business continues to grow, we need systems that help our teams work efficiently while supporting excellent service for our retailers,” says Niels Dekkers, Joint Managing Director at James Hall & Co. “RELEX brings proven experience across the SPAR network, and we look forward to working together on a roadmap that strengthens our supply chain.”

“We are proud to partner with a family owned business with such a strong heritage and clear sense of purpose,” says Gaël Ramaen, SVP Strategic Business Transformation at RELEX Solutions. “There is a strong cultural alignment between our teams, and that collaboration is critical to making planning simpler, faster, and more effective across both their wholesale and retail operations.”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Forecasting and replenishment will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards will open for entries in April. They celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Thursday, 15th October.

Check out our 2025 winners here.

Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”

“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”

He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”

Congratulations to our winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Tiff Stevenson, and all those who attended our 2025 gathering.