Nice serve! Boxbar Tech powers self-service bar technology first at 2026 Wimbledon Championships
Boxbar Tech has supplied its automated, self-serve bar tech to Compass Group UK & Ireland, official caterers of Wimbledon, creating the first ever self-serve Pimm's bar at this year’s tennis tournament in London.
In a LinkedIn post, James Bott, Co-founder at Boxbar Tech, said: “The perfect first serve as Wimbledon introduces self-serve. The blend of, technology, innovation, venue and the iconic Pimms drink make this a match made in heaven. Pre-iced and garnished cups were offered to punters ensuring their Pimms arrived exactly as it should do.”
“A choice of Pimm’s or Stella were available via our units meaning less time queueing and more time in the stands enjoying the tennis. A massive cheers to that and a huge thanks to the Boxbar Tech for smashing this one out of the court.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Self-serve technology 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.
