RTIH goes live with its Hot 100 and Influencers Lists: last week's most read retail technology articles
Check out our most clicked retail technology articles from last week, including Morrisons, Lowe's, Zebra Technologies, JB Hi-Fi, Broadsign, Nike, LOOOK.AI, VisioLab, VoCoVo, and the RTIH Retail Technology Hot 100 List.
Have your say and vote today! First ever RTIH Retail Technology Hot 100 List goes live, sponsored by 3D Cloud
In partnership with 3D Cloud, RTIH is pleased to announce the launch of its first ever Retail Technology Hot 100 List.
We have scoured the global retail technology world to bring you the hottest companies whose solutions and systems are helping drive the retail sector forward.
Our Founder and Editor, Scott Thompson, has drawn up a list of 150 companies that have consistently been on his radar over the past 12 months whilst bringing our community the latest retail tech news and views that matter. These companies operate across the omnichannel retail landscape (stores, online, mobile, supply chain, payments etc).
Our judging panel, including Vineta Bajaj, Group CFO, Holland & Barrett, Dan McGrath, JD Group Customer Operations, JD Sports, and Paula Bobbett, Chief Data and Digital Officer, Boots, will now provide feedback on those who have the most innovative, forward thinking technology offerings and are best addressing retailers' current challenges, painpoints, and opportunities.
And there will also be a public vote, with our community of retail tech enthusiasts invited to select their top five picks (one vote per person). The public vote closes on Friday, 26th June.
Based on the judging panel's feedback and the public vote, we will then draw up our first ever RTIH Retail Technology Hot 100, aka the 100 hottest global retail technology companies during 2026, which will be published across our website, social channels, and the next edition of our printed magazine (to be published in August).
"RITH has long been at the forefront of recognising exceptional performance in retail technology. We’re proud to support this programme and to play a part in elevating the role of retail tech in shaping the future of the customer experience," says Leigh Davidson, Managing Director, UK and International at 3D Cloud.
Shining stars: the latest edition of the RTIH Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List goes live at RTS 2026
The latest edition of the RTIH Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List is here, sponsored by 3D Cloud and launching on the first day of RTS 2026 in London.
The list has seen a surge in popularity over the past few years, to the point that we’ve decided publishing it once a year is no longer enough. Here, then, is the first edition for 2026, with some names dropping out of the top 100 and some new names coming in (the latter are flagged as new entries for ease of reference).
RTIH has scoured the retail technology world to find the most influential figures for this comprehensive round up of people and trends that shape the industry and help drive it forward.
We’re witnessing a seismic change in shopping habits. Retailers are doubling down on innovative technologies like AR, AI, machine learning, robotics, and automation, and finding ways to use them to boost business efficiency and make customer experiences more exciting and dynamic.
Which is where the RTIH Top 100 Retail Technology Influencers List comes in, presented, we should stress, in no particular order.
Such disruption requires new ways of problem solving and thought leaders who can both evangelise and execute on the likes of digital transformation and omnichannel excellence.
We hope you enjoy reading through it and, as always, if you would like to give feedback or believe that there are some glaring omissions, please feel free to get in touch via the form at the end of this article.
Many thanks to 3D Cloud, which provides 3D product visualisation software trusted by top furniture and DIY retailers, for sponsoring the report.
Technology veteran Andrew Fox departs Morrisons as AI focused UK grocery retailer cuts HQ jobs
Andrew Fox has taken to social media to announce his departure from Morrisons, where he spent almost eight years, most recently serving as Technology Head of Service Operations and User Experience.
In a LinkedIn post, Fox, who has also worked at Walmart and Asda, said: "Following a recent update at Morrisons, I’ve entered a consultation period as part of a wider organisational restructure, and my role is now at risk of redundancy."
"I’m choosing to see this as an opportunity to explore what else is out there in the big wide world. I’m now looking for opportunities in IT service management, service delivery, and technical operations, either permanent or contract, and expect to be available in the coming weeks."
He added: "If you know of any opportunities or can connect me with the right people, I would appreciate it. Sharing this post would also mean a lot. Thank you to Morrisons for the opportunities, support, and growth. Wishing the very best to others who may also be impacted, both within Morrisons and across the wider technology sector."
Australian retailer JB Hi-Fi taps Broadsign technology to build and scale its in-store retail media network
Broadsign reports that Australian consumer electronics retailer JB Hi-Fi is deploying its platform to build and scale its in-store retail media network (RMN), which spans over 200 stores across the country.
“We’re seeing strong interest in retail media from advertisers and brands who want to reach local audiences where purchase intent is high. We already had the screens to deliver in-store, and now with Broadsign, we have access to the same advertising toolset that major media owners use, and the ability to scale,” says Gary Siewert, Director of Marketing and E-commerce, JB Hi-Fi.
“Broadsign’s open API has also proved more valuable, allowing us to select the partners we want to work with as we build our omnichannel RMN, such as Retail Media Works and Criteo.”
Nike deploys interactive AR mirror experience at JD Sports Oxford Street store with LOOOK.AI technology
Nike has launched a new interactive activation at the JD flagship store on Oxford Street in London, introducing an AR mirror experience inspired by sneaker culture and experimental design. The installation is developed in collaboration with LOOOK.AI, a smart mirror platform created by FFFACE.ME.
This draws inspiration from sneaker-based mask concepts created by the creative community Bubble Koppe, translating well known footwear design elements into wearable digital visuals. Installed inside the JD flagship store, the smart mirror transforms visitors’ reflections in real-time, allowing them to virtually try on expressive AR masks derived from Nike sneaker aesthetics.
Users can explore multiple mask variations inspired by different colourways, capture photos and interact with the installation as part of the in-store environment. According to those involved, “the activation merges sneaker culture, digital identity and retail technology into a participatory experience rather than a static display.”
Retail communications specialist VoCoVo announces go live for company's new AI Gateway solution
VoCoVo has announced the launch of the VoCoVo AI Gateway, a solution that enables retailers to securely integrate their existing AI directly into the company’s ecosystem. It says that this connection between AI platforms and in-store colleagues enables retailers to create their own digital assistants.
With the AI Gateway, colleagues get AI driven insights delivered in real-time through their headset. With two-way communication, colleagues can ask questions hands-free on the shop floor and receive instant responses.
The solution is also AI agnostic, which enables retailers to connect with whichever AI tools they are using today or into the future. Data security is core to its approach, with retailers retaining ownership of all their own data.
Designed to meet strict security requirements, it eliminates the need to share data with third parties. VoCoVo says it provides a secure, security by design link between store colleagues and the retailer’s AI, with no data stored, processed or used for any purpose other than for secure transmission between the solution and the team’s headsets.
Conversations are private and protected by advanced encryption, in line with data protection and governance requirements. This new capability - delivered by the Series 5 Pro Headset - is informed directly by feedback from VoCoVo’s retail customer base. The solution enables retailers to maintain control over the AI systems they introduce to their stores, and the AI Gateway enhances the ROI from their AI without adding complexity.
For retailers embracing digital assistants, use cases for the AI Gateway range from integration with retailers' workflow management systems for equipment maintenance to stock checks for customer requested items.
VisioLab bags $11 million Series A for AI powered self-checkout across sports venues and food service
VisioLab, a Germany headquarterd AI powered visual self-checkout for food service, has announced the close of its $11 million Series A financing round.
This was co-led by eCAPITAL Entrepreneurial Partners and Simon Capital, with participation from existing investors High-Tech Gründerfonds (HTGF), zwei.7 and Heartfelt (formerly APX).
The funding positions VisioLab, which was founded in 2019, for its next phase of global expansion - building on stadium wide deployments at the Orlando Magic’s Kia Center and Inter Miami CF’s Nu Stadium, and a roll-out with Live Nation Entertainment, while launching an integrated all-in-one checkout and payment platform for food service operators.
VisioLab’s iPad-based checkout system uses real-time edge AI to identify packaged and unpackaged food items at the Point of Sale, eliminating barcode scanning and reducing average transaction times.
According to those involved, unlike camera array or overhead-sensor approaches, the system requires no venue infrastructure modifications and can be deployed by existing staff in ten minutes. It is operational across corporate dining, higher education, and professional sports venues in Europe and the United States, with initial deployments in Asia-Pacific.
Two thumbs up for Zebra Technologies tech powered Lowe's automated paint buying solution
Lowe’s has developed an automated paint selecting and buying system with Zebra Technologies.
And in doing so it has received a rave review from Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive.
In a LinkedIn post, he said: “I had the pleasure of visiting a Lowe's store in Celina, TX, where they've unveiled their automated paint selecting and buying system. Currently, trying to buy paint in big box stores like Lowe's, The Home Depot, Menards, and independent paint stores, is a lengthy and frustrating process. Lowe's decided to improve the process and customer experience.”
He added: “The goal was clear: a modern, efficient, and intuitive process that meets the unique needs of both customers and associates. That required more than an off-the-shelf solution, it demanded a collaborator capable of fine-tuning every detail to match Lowe’s environment.”
“We knew we were going to need something bright, something that looked cool - a kiosk people would want to walk up to, engage with, and feel comfortable using,” commented Will Saake from Lowe's.
Zebra Technologies built and refined prototypes that the retailer could test in-store and collect real-world feedback to refine the design before expanding to more of its stores. Now, when a customer approaches the paint desk, they’re greeted by an interactive touchscreen that walks them through a short series of questions to select the right paint.
Once the order is ready, the system automatically sends a text message to the customer. Instead of waiting at the desk to take new requests, associates receive updates directly on their handheld devices. “The result is a smoother, more relaxed experience for everyone: customers can use the waiting time to browse other aisles or pick up supplies for their next project, while associates work efficiently and stay connected to the paint desk in real-time,” Ladd observed.
"It really simplifies the experience for both our customers and our associates,” added Saake. “We focus on the customer by focusing on the associate, giving them the tools they need to minimise time spent on repetitive tasks so they can spend more time with the customer. Zebra’s technology helps us do exactly that. What emerged was more than an equipment upgrade. The transformation changed how we sell and make paint.”
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