Milestone for Quail Digital as SPAR International picks retail headsets firm as preferred supplier
SPAR International has appointed Quail Digital as a preferred international supplier following the roll-out of more than 3,000 retail headsets across over 500 SPAR stores throughout the UK and Ireland.
The deployment represents almost one in five of the approximately 2,700 SPAR stores operating across the two markets, making it one of the largest retail communication headset roll-outs in the UK convenience sector, according to Quail Digital.
Store teams use the digital communication system to coordinate replenishment, respond to customer requests, improve communication between colleagues and support day-to-day store operations. Quail Digital estimates colleagues now exchange thousands of communications each day using the headset system across the SPAR network.
Tom Downes, Founder and CEO at Quail Digital, says: “Communication underpins almost every activity that takes place inside a supermarket, yet many retailers are still relying on systems that were never designed for today's retail environment. Being recognised as a SPAR international preferred supplier is an important milestone for us. It reflects the success we've achieved working alongside SPAR retailers across the UK and Ireland and demonstrates the value better communication can bring to store operations. The best communication is the communication nobody has to think about. When technology simply works, colleagues can focus on serving customers, supporting one another and keeping the store running smoothly.”
Dave Pickford from James Hall & Co. Ltd, a primary wholesaler and distributor for SPAR across the North of England, says: “There has been a great improvement to store efficiency. If we were to take away the headsets now, our employees wouldn't be happy. It's been a great success.”
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
Retail communications 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.
