Consumer champion and retail expert Kate Hardcastle to chair Supernova Stage at RTS 2026

Kate Hardcastle (aka The Customer Whisperer) will be chairing the Supernova Stage at Retail Technology Show 2026, which takes place at London ExCel on 22nd and 23rd April.

In a LinkedIn post, Hardcastle said: “16,000+ senior retail professionals. Two days. One industry under pressure to get the next chapter right. That is why your visit to the Retail Technology Show 2026 matters.”

“I’m grateful for the continued trust of the organisers inviting me to chair the Supernova headline stage and their brilliant determination to invite the voice of the consumer into the room where it happens. It is one of the most important gatherings in retail because the questions facing this sector have become sharper, faster and far more consequential: How do we invest wisely?; Where does AI genuinely improve retail?; How do we remove friction without removing humanity?; How do we build businesses that are more connected, more trusted and more useful to the people they serve?”

She added: “Retail technology is at its strongest when it delivers for the end user too, not only in vision decks or conference headlines, but in the lived experience of customers and colleagues every single day.”

“What RTS does so well is bring serious decision-makers together with the innovators, operators and leaders shaping what comes next. And this year’s programme reflects that, with speakers including a returning headline fireside chat with Archie Norman, Touker Suleyman, and Grace Beverley. And brands Holland & Barrett, Marks and Spencer, Cotswold Outdoor Group, Currys, Fortnum & Mason, Ann Summers Morrisons and many more.”

Hardcastle concluded: “Margin, loyalty, trust, productivity, data, service and customer expectation are all being tested at once. The strongest ideas will come from the rooms where people are prepared to challenge each other intelligently and think beyond the obvious. That is exactly what Retail Technology Show creates brilliantly.”

RTIH at RTS 2026

Retail Technology Innovation Hub will be out in force at RTS 2026.

You will find us on stand B45, so please feel free to drop by and say hi to Editor and Founder, Scott Thompson, and other team members. You will also be able to pick up a free copy of the latest issue of RTIH magazine.

Further details 👉 here

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.