EuroShop 2026 demonstrates how emerging technology is transforming the retail landscape

EuroShop 2026 took place in Germany last week. And Amy Walsh, IT Demand Analyst at Musgrave, was in attendance to see how emerging technology is transforming the retail landscape.

In a LinkedIn post, she said: “What stood out to me most was how much AI has been integrated across all of retail technology. AI is not isolated innovations, it is a built into everything - retail media, smart self-check outs, loss prevention and shrinkage, supply chain and much more.”

She added: “A strong message I took from the expo was that AI is not replacing people but supporting them. It is allowing more time for the important things like customer relations and decision making.”

“Moreover, AI has some learning left to do. Many solutions need to be taught and refined (a robot tried to make me a sandwich and dropped half👀). However, I am excited to see the progress over the coming months and years!”

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

AI 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.