Hanshow wraps its acquisition of retail focused AI and Big Data solutions provider HARB Data

Hanshow, a specialist in electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and digital retail solutions, has announced the completion of its acquisition of HARB Data, a retail focused AI and Big Data solutions company.

Founded in 2015, HARB Data now becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Hanshow. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Hanshow says that the move significantly strengthens its core capabilities in in‑store data governance, analytics, and AI algorithms, enabling the company to deliver more efficient and smart technical support for retail customers across store operations, intelligent marketing, consumer experience optimisation, and digital energy management.

Hanshow's hardware portfolio will be integrated with HARB Data's tech capabilities, enabling a closed loop upgrade from intelligent sensing to intelligent decision‑making.

Hanshow leverages IoT touchpoints, including electronic shelf labels, in-store digital displays, and smart carts to collect first-party data such as customer traffic, user interactions, and transaction conversions in real-time. HARB Data applies its proprietary AI algorithms and Big Data analytics to standardise data processing, generate actionable consumer insights, construct high fidelity customer profiles, and establish closed-loop attribution models.

Hanshow says it will continue to deepen the integration of technology and retail scenarios, working with ecosystem partners to advance store digitalisation into a new phase of AI driven development.

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 Wednesday, 4th November.

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.