RTS 2026 Innovation Awards finalist Duvo brings in Mark Simpson as strategic advisor

Mark Simpson has joined Duvo, an AI workforce solution which streamlines retail operations, closing the gap and the information flow between systems to speed up execution, as a strategic advisor, supporting its team in the UK.

Simpson is CEO at Simpson Retail Advisory and also spent almost 20 years at Asda, holding such roles as Chief Transformation Officer and Chief Supply Chain Officer.

In a LInkedIn post, he said: "A report last month from DHL Supply Chain and Retail Economics indicates that out of stocks are threatening £2.1 billion in UK grocery sales, with one in five trips disrupted by missing items. Availability now surpasses price as a key driver of customer loyalty."

He added: "Having spent a career in retail trying to solve these problems, I am pretty well versed on the root causes! An exception that unfortunately no one had the time to get to, a supplier that needed to chased, or a process that lives in someones head but not in any system. Its certainly not for the lack of trying, retail teams work tirelessly to triage hundreds of issues everyweek. The problem isn’t knowledge, its capacity."

"What’s changed is AI can actually run this work (and many retail tasks like it) end to end, not just flag the issue. Faster and more accurately across dozens of systems you already use. That’s what Duvo does. The founder Tomáš Čupr who built and scaled Rohlik Group understands these challanges and thats why hes decided to solve them with AI."

RTS 2026

Retail Technology Show (RTS) recently revealed the shortlist for its 2026 Innovation Awards, which celebrate standout solutions (including Duvo) from across the event, taking place this month in London.

Handpicked by a judging panel including retail influencer Andrew Busby, Retail Disrupted podcast host Natalie Berg, retail consultant Oliver Banks and IGD analyst Toby Pickard, the shortlist highlights solutions from across the RTS showfloor which track ahead of the hype curve. 

Shortlist as follows:

Cloz (stand #K10): Agentic AI styling engine, Cloz curates shoppable looks based on intent and customer context to build confidence into fashion buying journeys. Integrated directly into retailers’ e-commerce platforms, it helps boost conversions and AOV while reducing returns.

Duvo (stand #SU21): Duvo is an AI workforce solution which streamlines retail operations, closing the gap and the information flow between systems to speed up execution.

Motorola Solutions (stand #Q20): Shortlisted for its Theatro Communication Platform, which digitally connects shop staff, area managers and retail leaders to enhance performance. The solution’s in-built voice assistant speeds up onboarding, as well as enhancing CX, improving workflows and supporting employee experience.

Ocasta (stand #E40): Frontline operations platform, Ocasta replaces guesswork with real-time knowledge and insight by connecting the head office with shop floor teams, delivering targeted operational communications to improve store performance.

PervasID (stand #P20): RFID solution PervasID’s TrackMaster 3X delivers near-100% item accuracy and 1-metre location accuracy in complex retail environments. It converts RFID data into actionable insights that increase sales, improve stock visibility, reduce shrink, and optimise omnichannel fulfilment.

ProGlove (stand #L38): Its AI powered wearable solution, MAI, is a hands free companion that supports frontline staff directly in their workflow. Featuring an integrated AI voice assistant, it improves efficiency, reduces errors and enhances safety in logistics, production and retail environments.

Retail Advantage (stand #W98): Retail intelligence platform, Retail Advantage Insights, uses data to improve performance and communication between brands and landlords. With accurate, real-time insights, it provides augmented analytics allowing brands to unlock greater value from their data.

Sony (stand #E45): Spatial Reality Display (SRD) technology from Sony delivers lifelike stereoscopic 3D without the need for glasses or headsets, redefining immersive visual displays. It also reduces reliance on printed or physical displays within VM, promoting more sustainable store and retail design practices.

Vusion (stand #P10): Selected for its EdgeSense AI operating system, which connects more than 250million endpoints globally, it uses ESLs, AI cameras and sensors to power one intelligent network. Vusion’s platform automates pricing, optimises merchandising, improves inventory accuracy and reduces shrink.

YOOBIC (stand #V10): The frontline employee experience platform was shortlisted for its YOOBIC Hub solution, which turns communication into execution by unifying knowledge, communities and tasks on one central system.