Retail Technology Show hits London ExCeL in April and delivers event's biggest ever innovation showcase

Retail Technology Show (RTS) returned to London’s ExCeL last week and delivered its biggest innovation showcase yet.

There were over 450+ innovators on the expo floor, spotlighting new solutions powering the future of retail.  In what RTS speaker and Dragon’s Den star, Touker Suleyman, described as an “overwhelming” amount of innovation, the show floor was packed with a full spectrum of technologies, spanning AI, e-commerce and supply chain through to logistics, customer engagement and personalisation.  

“Every retailer should walk this show, decide what’s right for them and invest,” Suleyman added, while Iain Robertson, Chief Operating & Innovation Officer at Fortnum & Mason, said RTS remains an invaluable platform for evaluating “what’s hype and what’s not” when making tech investment decisions.

For the conference programme, RTS saw 125+ retail leaders, brand powerhouses and industry luminaries take to the stage to discuss the topics redefining the sector. From the BRC’s Helen Dickinson opening the show on day one, to headliners, including M&S Chair Archie Norman, TALA Founder Grace Beverley and Sephora’s Sarah Boyd, the event took a pulse on the trends reshaping retail.  

The discussions from the stages spilled over into conversations across various networking opportunities at RTS 2026. From its annual industry get-together, Retail’s BIG Party, to satellite events, roundtable lunches and after-hours socialising, the event provides a “place to have a safe conversation and understand where you should focus your efforts for your business,” said Dan Chasle, Chief Data Officer at New Look.

RTS’ Founder & Event Director, Matt Bradley, comments: “Despite the Tube strike, RTS 2026 once again delivered standout brand attendance, with strong levels of senior, c-suite audiences attending the sessions and walking the show floor, underlining the show’s central role in bringing together senior retailers with tech innovators.” 

“RTS not only gets bigger and better every year, but it’s become the place where people can connect, converse and collaborate, and make those long-term connections that matter. RTS 2026 has been another barnstormer - full of the energy, insight and innovation that reminds us how vibrant the retail sector remains.” 

“The RTS team have been absolutely relentless in their mission to deliver the very best event platform for the retail industry, and we can’t wait to be back - even bigger and even better - next year.”

RTS returns to London’s ExCeL on 21st and 22nd April 2027.

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.