Whole Foods Market UK ramps up Amazon owned retailer's Pitch Day capacity for second quarter of 2026

Whole Foods Market will be offering three times more pitch slots for its Q2 2026 Pitch Day, as applications open for emerging and challenger brands looking to secure ranging opportunities. 

The retailer will offer up to 50 dedicated pitch slots across grocery, whole body and speciality. It says that this builds on strong interest in Q1, during which there were more than 500 individual product submissions, with 17 brands selected to present.  

Priority will be given to brands that are locally sourced (England-based), cater to special diets, align with emerging 2026 consumer trends, are certified organic, or champion regenerative agriculture, as well as set categories.

Brands operating in the following categories are encouraged to apply here due to upcoming range reviews and seasonal focus areas: 

• Children’s products and toiletries 

• Pre-mixed and ready-to-drink beverages 

• Homewares 

• Charcuterie and cured meats 

• Crackers 

• Immunity and superfoods  

• Summer entertaining 

• USA themed products and brands 

• Sports focused products 

• Routine reset 

• Gifting 

• Ice cream 

• Baby and toddler

Key dates 

• Applications open: 27th February 

• Application deadline: 27th March 

• Q2 Pitch Day: 24th April 

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Grocery retail will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards are now open for entries and 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.