RTIH AI IN RETAIL AWARDS

RTIH, organiser of the industry leading RTIH Innovation Awards, proudly brings you the first edition of the RTIH AI in Retail Awards, which is now open for entries.

As we witness a digital transformation revolution across all channels, AI tools are reshaping the omnichannel game, from personalising customer experiences to optimising inventory, uncovering insights into consumer behaviour, and enhancing the human element of retailers' businesses.

As AI sees increasing adoption in the retail space, our newly launched awards celebrate global technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world and the resulting benefits for retailers, shoppers and employees.

Our 2025 winners will be those companies who not only recognise the potential of AI, but also make it usable in everyday work - resulting in more efficiency and innovation in all areas.

Winners will be announced at an evening event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 3rd July. This will kick off with a drinks reception in the stunning Conservatory, followed by a three course meal, and awards ceremony in the Garden Room.

Please email our Editor, Scott Thompson, if you have any questions or need further information: scott.thompson@retailtechinnovationhub.com

FAQs

Is there a fee to enter the awards?: No, it is free of charge.

Can I enter across multiple categories: Yes.

Do I need to complete all the sections in the entry form? No, but the more information you provide, the better chance you have of producing a successful submission.

Is there a certain timeframe for nominated projects, initiatives etc? Yes, nominated projects, initiatives etc should have been completed (or substantially completed) during the last 12 months.

Who has visibility of our completed entry form and what information will be public should we win or be shortlisted? Only our Editor, Scott Thompson, and judging panel will view submissions. The information provided in the summary section of the entry form will be made public.

Do you only accept entries from UK-based companies? No, we accept entries from all parts of the world.

What is the shortlists process? Shortlists will be announced in April 2025, then shortlisted entries will be sent to our independent judging panel who will decide upon the winners and highly commended submissions. Shortlisted companies will be invited to attend an awards ceremony at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 3rd July 2o25.

Do winners and highly commended companies receive post-event coverage? Yes, post-event coverage includes articles on our website and also an in-depth awards review in our printed magazine. There is also the opportunity for a company profile type piece to be published on our site and within our magazine.

When is the deadline for 2025 submissions? Friday, 23rd May 2025.

When will the 2025 winners be revealed? Winners will be announced at an event at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, 3rd July. This will kick off with a drinks reception, followed by a three course meal, awards ceremony, and after party featuring DJ until midnight.

Who will be judging submissions? Details of our 2025 judging panel will be announced in the near future.

RTIH AI in Retail Awards categories

AI and Physical Stores

This award will go to a retailer enabling physical spaces to thrive via AI powered technology, even as online shopping continues to grow.

We’re looking for examples of reducing friction in the customer journey, offering improved experiences, blurring the lines between channels, and boosting the way in which employees work.

Download an entry form here.

Online Retailer of the Year

Who has been the most innovative, customer focused online retailer this year?

Judges are asked to look at AI powered tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric over the last 12 months.

Download an entry form here.

AI and Omnichannel Retail

This award will go to an AI tech centric approach to retail that provides customers with a fully integrated shopping experience across bricks and mortar stores, online, mobile, and everything in between.

Download an entry form here.

Best Use of AI in Customer Service

The Covid-19 outbreak and cost-of-living crisis have reshaped customer behaviour and their expectations of retailers.

This award will go to an online and/or physical retailer that has understood and reacted in a positive fashion to these customer trends and patterns, by providing exceptional AI technology powered omnichannel customer experiences.

Download an entry form here.

AI and Supply Chain

This award highlights companies that are re-inventing and re-thinking retail supply chains via innovative AI technology.

Download an entry form here.

AI and Payments

This award recognises AI powered payment initiatives that are both innovative and customer and retailer friendly.

We’re looking to reward a project that has the potential to increase a retailer’s competitiveness and effectiveness, and to improve the shopper experience. Bonus points if the project could be considered a first in the market.

Download an entry form here.

Digital Transformation Project of the Year

This award celebrates those who are at the forefront of digital transformation in the retail space, achieved through the deployment of innovative AI technologies.

Our judges will be looking for a company that has tapped AI to deliver a significant transformation project for a customer, such as integrating disparate systems, updating legacy technology, empowering the client to create seamless and personalised shopping experiences, and unlocking new possibilities to grow the business.

Download an entry form here.

AI in Training and Learning

Further information on this category coming soon.

Download an entry form here.

AI Technology Supplier of the Year

This category celebrates companies that have developed innovative AI technologies and worked with retailers to transform the customer experience or back-end operations or both.

Download an entry form here.

AI Startup of the Year

This award will recognise the startup with the most innovative AI technology offering and the company which is best placed to succeed in the long-term (management, funding, the retailers it is working with etc).

Download an entry form here.

Retail AI and Data Analytics

Further information on this category coming soon.

Best Use of AI for Sustainable Retail

Traditionally, the biggest problem with sustainable technology solutions has been in the relatively high cost of implementation, often meaning that scaling them was not viable.

Things change, however, with incentives, targets and climate pledges as well as the rapid iteration of innovative AI technologies driving down costs in various areas.

This award will go to a retailer or brand that has worked with AI technology suppliers to put sustainability at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its green credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits of sustainable practices.

Download an entry form here.

Inclusive Technology Innovation

This category will showcase what is being delivered in the inclusive shopping space, and shine a light on what is a huge, untapped retail customer/service market that suppliers and retailers are now really leaning in to and embracing more fully.

This award will go to a retailer or brand that has tapped AI technology to put inclusion at the core of its values. The winning entry will show how a company has boosted its inclusive credentials whilst also demonstrating the tangible business benefits involved.

Download an entry form here.

Most Innovative UK Retailer

Who has been the most innovative, customer and employee focused UK retailer over the last 12 months?

Judges are asked to look at AI powered tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric.

Download an entry form here.

Most Innovative Global Retailer

Who has been the most innovative, customer and employee focused (non-UK) retailer over the last 12 months?

Judges are asked to look at AI powered tech deployments, pilots, initiatives etc and decide which retailer has been the most consistently forward thinking and customer centric.

Download an entry form here.

Technology Implementation of the Year

This award recognises AI technology project excellence, both in delivery and outcomes.

Implementation should have been completed between April 2024 and April 2025..

Judges will be looking for clear project objectives, effective and innovative implementation and tangible and demonstrable results.

Download an entry form here.

Best Retailer/Technology Supplier Relationship of the Year

This award recognises a successful AI powered partnership between a retailer and a technology supplier, with an emphasis on the last 12 months and how said partnership has gone from strength to strength during that period.

Download an entry form here.

Most Promising AI Innovation

This category showcases recently launched innovative AI companies, solutions, pilots and initiatives.

As such, we’re not looking for tangible ROI, but rather the innovation on display and its potential to help retailers improve their businesses.

Download an entry form here.