AI powered retail intelligence specialist RADAR lands $170 million in funding and hits $1 billion valuation

RADAR, an AI powered retail intelligence platform, has raised $170 million in Series B funding, co-led by Gideon Strategic Partners and Nimble Partners, and with participation from Align Ventures, bringing the company’s valuation to $1 billion.

It plans to use this round to accelerate deployments across retailers, advance next-generation sensor hardware, expand AI analytics capabilities, accelerate autonomous checkout development, and grow across Canada, EMEA, and Latin America.

“In 2026, operating without real-time intelligence in physical retail means choosing to leave billions of dollars on the table. RADAR is changing that,” says Spencer Hewett, Founder and CEO at RADAR. “Today, we’re empowering retailers to run stores with the same precision as e-commerce. This round signals market conviction in the scale of the opportunity and accelerates our ability to extend that advantage across retail and beyond.”

“The physical world has long been a blind spot in an otherwise data driven economy,” Erik Oros, Chief Investment Officer of Gideon Capital. “RADAR is closing that gap. Starting with retail, the company is delivering clear, measurable ROI today while building a proprietary data advantage that strengthens with every deployment. We believe that combination positions RADAR to define the category and become a foundational layer of real-time intelligence across physical industries.”

RADAR’s platform combines proprietary overhead sensors, software, and an analytics layer into a single end-to-end system. Sensors mounted on store ceilings read every tagged item continuously, tracking precise location and movement across the sales floor, stockroom, and fitting rooms. That data flows directly into RADAR’s software layer, which converts raw location signals into operational action: automated replenishment alerts, omnichannel fulfillment routing, loss prevention triggers, and merchandising intelligence, all integrated into the systems retailers already use.

Currently, the tech is deployed across more than 1,400 stores with US retailers including American Eagle Outfitters and Old Navy.

“As the first retailer to implement RADAR technology fleet wide, American Eagle has unlocked greater inventory visibility, empowered our associates and sharpened our insights,” says Jay Schottenstein, Executive Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, American Eagle Outfitters. “With inventory digitised in real-time, we have enabled our creative, operations and technology teams to place their focus on creating seamless, customer first experiences that define the American Eagle brand.”

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.