The Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading industry event that connects retail’s changemakers and leading tech innovators, has announced a series of new showcases that will focus on innovation.

Retail’s flagship event, which takes place at London Olympia on the 24 and 25 April 2024, will once again offer a one-stop shop for innovation, and this year will host over 400 technology providers and innovators, one of its largest ever tech showcases, on the exhibition floor.  Encompassing the full spectrum of retail technology – from supply chain and forecasting solutions, to Gen AI, Augmented Reality and Retail Media Network solutions – the RTS champions the cutting -edge innovations which will drive the industry forward and deliver competitive advantage to retail businesses.

Matt Bradley, Event Director at the Retail Technology Show, commented: “Our visitors already know RTS as the leading shopwindow for innovation, and it’s always been our mission to be the leading event platform for connecting innovators with senior retailers.  This year, we’ve packed even more innovation and examples of best-class technology solutions on to the show floor, so no matter what the pain point or business objective, retailers can be confident they’ll be able to explore solutions which can game-change their operations and future-proof their businesses.”

New for 2024, the RTS is partnering with Commerce Futures, the ecommerce event and networking specialists, to host a dedicated Ecommerce Pavilion, which will highlight the latest innovations for online retail.  With carefully curated digital innovators, including unified commerce platform Newstore, SaaS ecommerce solution BIGCommerce, and AI-powered social media software provider emplifi, the Ecommerce Pavillion, located on stand 5C62, will showcase technologies that drive competitive advantage within online retail channels.

Trade and investment body, Business France, will also have its own Tech Hub on stand 5F40, which will shine a light on the very best start-up and scale-up technologies coming from across The Channel.

Back by popular demand, the Discovery Zone will once again host the newest innovations driving the industry forward.  From virtual try on and fitting solution be Retail Social, to replenishment platform IMPULSE LOGIC and Gen-AI product recommendation and chatbot engine Converso, the Discovery Zone gives retailers a first-look at the latest technologies coming to the market.

In addition, the RTS will combine innovation showcases with its trademark opportunities for unrivalled networking.  Having received a record number of entries for the popular RTS Innovation Awards this year, the winner of the awards, which recognise the best examples of disruptive retail tech, will be crowned at the BIG Retail Party, taking place on Day 1 at the Champagne Bar.

Register for free to attend the industry’s flagship event which bring s the magic of retail to life, here.

The Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading industry event that connects retail’s changemakers and leading tech providers, has announced the shortlist of its 2024 Innovation Awards, which champion progressive, best-in-class technologies and solutions.

Each year, the RTS Innovation Awards seek out the foremost examples of future-forward innovation from across the RTS show floor, selecting those disruptive technologies that that can transform retailers’ operations – from building sustainable retailing practices, to next-generation in-store solutions and new retail formats.

Judged by an expert panel comprising members of the RTS Advisory Board, as well as independent industry analysts and influencers, including Redline Retail’s Andrew Busby and Retail Connection’s Chris Field, the top ten innovations have been selected for the shortlist.

This year, the 2024 finalists, listed in alphabetical order, are:

Find & Order (stand 5F40) – an add-on software for Warehouse Management Solutions (WMS) and Order Management Solutions (OMS), Find & Order optimises picking operations across stores and warehouses.  Reducing the distance covered by pickers by enhanced order batching and routing, it increases productivity and boosts labour savings.

Flip (stand 6K38) – An employee experience platform, retailers including McDonald’s use Flip’s white-label app to reach and rally their retail workforce, from head office to the shop floor, to improve operations and customer experience.

Orquest (stand 5E03) – an AI-driven in-store workforce scheduling solution, Orquest is designed to simplify store and HR management to improve retail interactions at every level of the business.  It enhances retail operational efficiency, fosters frontline team wellbeing and delivers an optimised customer experience.

Pricer (stand 6E18) – The global leader of in-store automation and communication solutions, Pricer enhances store performance and shopping experiences, working with leading retailers including Carrefour and Cotswold Outdoor.  Through electronic shelf labels (ESLs), advanced technology, including AI, and continuous innovation, Pricer offers the foundation for in-store communication and efficiency.

ProGlove (stand 6B48) – Proglove’s wearable technology and software solutions digitally empower retail staff across a retailer’s operations, delivering better processes, faster fulfillment, and more transactions.  As well as being used in-store, the solution is used across retail warehouses and logistics operations, ensuring picking, packing, staging, sequencing and returning is optimised.

ReachFive (stand 5F40) – ReachFive is a cloud-agnostic, SaaS platform, dedicated to Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) for brands and retailers, which allows retailers to leverage customer IDs to deliver enhanced customer experience, trust and value across the buying journey and across devices.

Scaleflex (stand 5F40)  – Visual Experience Platform, Scaleflex is composed of cutting-edge Digital Asset Management (DAM), Visual AI and Dynamic Media Optimisation solutions. It offers scalable, reliable and affordable Cloud services that empower retailers to manage, optimise and accelerate digital assets across their websites and mobile apps.

Shopopop (stand 5F40) – featuring in the RTS Innovation Awards shortlist for the second year running, Shopopop is a crowd-shipping delivery solution.  It enables retailers to offer home delivery within 3 hours to their customers without any need for financial investment, while also allowing shoppers to make the most from regular journeys and earn money by delivering to people near them.

Solink (stand 6A69) – Solink provides cloud video surveillance systems for retailers and warehouses, acting as the hub for business security and loss prevention/asset management which gives loss prevention professionals the information needed to execute investigations.

Teamwork Commerce (stand 6H48) – a flexible tech stack for retailers that includes POS, OMS, Clientelling, Inventory Control and Reporting, Teamwork Commerce is a cloud-based system that is constantly evolving to provide cutting-edge technology to meet the needs of the ever-changing retail landscape.

Matt Bradley, Event Director at the Retail Technology Show, commented: “With 2024 being our biggest ever technology showcase, with over 400 innovators and tech providers exhibiting at RTS 2024, we’ve had a phenomenal response to this year’s Innovation Awards.  Not only has there been a huge number of high-quality entries, but the sheer scale and breadth of the innovations being put forward made the judging all the more competitive.  We wish all the shortlisted technology solutions the best of luck and look forward to crowning the winner at the show.”

The winner of the 2024 Innovation Awards will be crowned at RTS, which takes place at London Olympia on 24 & 25 April 2024, with the winner announced during the BIG Retail Party, hosted at the Champagne Bar at the end of Day 1.

In its biggest innovation showcase yet, 400+ innovators – from tech’s biggest players, fast-growth disruptors and future-forward start-ups – will showcase transformative tech at the RTS 2024 event.  A one-stop shop for innovation, RTS promises to be jampacked with the latest cutting-edge innovators, with transformative solutions spanning the full spectrum of tech to power every part of retailers’ operations.  Register for free to attend the industry’s flagship event which brings the magic of retail to life, here.

Performance outdoor apparel brand KUIU has extended its global Direct To Consumer (DTC) and marketing reach into 37 international markets in partnership with ESW, the world’s leading DTC ecommerce company.

KUIU manufactures high-quality, performance outdoor apparel and was founded in 2011 with the vision of creating the highest quality ultralight hunting clothing and equipment, designed to be as affordable and accessible as possible.  With high demand for its products in its domestic North American markets of the U.S. and Canada, the brand wanted to expand internationally and cultivate direct consumer relationships with shoppers in key European markets.

However, KUIU lacked the necessary technology and infrastructure and quickly realised developing these systems and processes in-house would take years of time they couldn’t afford to lose, as well as a significant investment of resources.  In 2017 it selected ESW because of the company’s experience in localization in over 200 markets, its speed to market capability, and its expertise in knowing what drives scalable and sustainable DTC growth across international territories.

ESW’s solution ensured that shoppers in each market would have a domestic-equivalent brand experience online through a localised checkout.  This featured market-appropriate currency displays and locally recognized payment methods as well as displaying transparent duties and taxes, so customers weren’t faced with the surprise of ‘hidden’ fees just before completing their purchases.

In 2022 KUIU extended the partnership to include ESW’s demand generation and marketing services to manage customer acquisition and retention, targeting English speaking shoppers in Germany, Austria, France, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium and Norway. ESW developed both brand awareness messaging and a strategic campaign for KUIU to support new customer acquisition in each market.  ESW created a ‘look alike’ targeting list based on similar brand affinities across KUIU’s main audience segments and customer cohorts.  Targeted social media, search and online campaign advertising featuring localised market specific content drove website traffic, grew brand awareness, supported customer acquisition and delivered conversions.

To date, ESW has delivered a marketing ROI for KUIU of 6.5x and in January 2023 ESW and KUIU further extended their partnership to a total of 37 locations globally including KUIU’s biggest market – Canada – alongside the UK, Australia and New Zealand.  Moving forward, demand generation activity will encompass email marketing, outlet and free shipping thresholds with an expected move into South America also planned for 2024 as it continues its ambitious global expansion goals.

Christy Ansari, Chief Sales & Planning Officer, Ultralight Hunting at KUIU, said, “ESW has acted as an extension of the KUIU team and has been integral to our international expansion. ESW was as invested as we were in making our international marketing programs as successful as possible.  Having them onboard meant that we could leverage the ESW team’s years of experience and technology to enter new markets efficiently, effectively and at pace.”

Martim Oliveira Avillez, Chief Revenue Officer at ESW, said, “Having a robust global DTC solution is critical for brands hoping to take market share in an increasingly competitive sector.  We’re delighted to see the success KUIU is having and to partner with them for the next phase of their international growth.”

As we count down towards the Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading industry event that connects retail’s changemakers and leading tech innovators, the RTS has announced a series of special events, new for 2024.

From showcasing emerging retail formats and examples of stores delivering new and exciting shopping experiences, the series of exclusive events from the RTS, retail’s flagship event which takes place at London Olympia on the 24 and 25 April 2024, will offer even more chances to see best practice and innovation in action while providing important networking opportunities.

For the first time the RTS will be offering up a London Store Tour, exclusively for brands and retailers attending the show.  Taking place on Tuesday 23 April, the day before the RTS opens its doors, retailers can sign up to join a limited number of exclusive tours, allowing them to experience first-hand London’s best physical retail. With a focus on  design, technology and experiential activations, the RTS London Store Tours, sponsored by Newstore, will be expertly curated and hosted by retail influencer, Ian Scott.

In addition to the London Store Tours, the RTS will also be hosting a special Retail Media Networks focused event, sponsored by digital signage specialist, Scala.  This will also take place the day before RTS on 23 April.  Retailers can join their peers, in-store experience and technology experts, brands and agencies at this full-day event focused entirely on what’s widely considered the most important channel in the white-hot retail media network (RMN) ecosystem  – the physical store.

New for 2024, RTS will be partnering with ecommerce event and networking specialists, Commerce Futures, who will curate its ‘ecommerce excellence and omnichannel’ conference stream, dedicated to digital best practice.  The partnership will also see RTS and Commerce Futures host a private retailer dinner on Day 1 of the show (24 April), where brands and retail leaders can share learnings under ‘Chatham House’ rules.  To sign up, retailers register by contacting: [email protected].

Matt Bradley, Event Director at the Retail Technology Show, commented:

“Retailers and brands will already know the RTS as a key industry platform for making the connections that matter – from the 400+ tech innovators we showcase on the exhibition floor to our all-star line-up of speakers on our conference programme.  This year, we wanted to go further and offer even more opportunities for our visitors to connect with their peers, experience first-hand retail best practice and game-changing innovations, which is why we’re excited to deliver our new programme of special events.”

As a hub for the retail community, technology providers, exhibitors and media partners will also be hosting ‘satellite’ events over the period of the RTS.  Solvedby.ai will host a VIP Retailer Dinner on 24 April, offering the chance for senior retailers to enjoy relaxed discussions and networking in a sales-pitch-free environment, while Apptension and Kestronics will host Happy Hours between 1530 – 1630 on Day 1 of the show.  The Retail Bulletin, a media partner of RTS,  will also be hosting a private lunch for the judges of its popular People in Retail Awards during RTS, offering the unique opportunity for its judges to convene, deliberate and network.

In addition, the RTS will once again deliver its  trademark opportunities for unrivalled networking at the show  – from the Big Party on Day 1 hosted at the Champagne Bar, to private lunches and roundtables sponsored by Natwest BOXED, Mastercard and Zebra, for peer-to-peer discussion, and the chance to unwind in the Retailers’ Lounge.

Register for free to attend the industry’s flagship event which bring s the magic of retail to life, here.

Pricer, the leading in-store automation and communication solutions, will showcase new connected stores solutions at the Retail Technology Show, taking place at London’s Olympia on 24 & 25 April, 2024.  Exhibiting at booth #6E18, Pricer will present its latest shelf-edge automation and communication solutions that serve the rapidly growing smart retail market, with new applications for Grocery, Fashion and DIY retail as well as Retail Media Networks (RMNs).

Based on Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs), Pricer digitally awakens the shelf-edge in real-time to improve store operations – from on shelf availability to dynamic pricing and retail media capabilities – as well as empowering retailers’ omnichannel offerings, including store within a store, efficient picking of store-fulfilled ecommerce orders and advanced replenishment.

Pricer Plaza

Central to Pricer’s solution is Pricer Plaza, its cloud-based management system infrastructure that enables Software as a Service (SaaS) business models.  Pricer Plaza comprises a suite of services that provide sophisticated management of in-store infrastructure and services from individual departments and stores, up to large scale chains.

It acts as the key foundation for advanced store digitalization functionality such as: sophisticated real-time dynamic price and promotion implementation and management; advanced replenishment; shelf imaging and optimization; Click & Collect services; and in-store geo-location for advanced customer experience (CX).

Magnus Larsson, CEO of Pricer, commented:

“Many leading retail brands are now integrating ESLs to transform their operations and customer experience, from electronics to food, to pharmacy, fashion and convenience.  Our customers need scalable and reliable tools to build their business for the future.  Making the shelf more dynamic allows retailers to better connect their products to their customers, whether that’s via real-time interaction or pricing at the shelf-edge, easier in-store navigation or addressing on-shelf availability and replenishment.”

Fashioning new shelf-edge experiences for apparel retail

The UK’s leading outdoor retail group, Cotswold Outdoor (O&CC), which also owns brands including Snow+Rock and Runners Need, will join Pricer on its stand, with a dedicated feature wall showcasing the latest ESL applications for fashion and apparel.

Partnering with Pricer to create a bespoke digital label for garments, Cotswold Outdoor announced it would conduct a full UK chain roll out of Pricer Plaza and its customised ESLs in January 2024 to increase store efficiencies and improve customer experience (CX).  The roll out is expected to be finalised by May 2024.  Cotswold Outdoor is the first UK store to use Pricer’s HangTAG solution, and it leverages Pricer to apply real-time digital price adjustment capabilities.  It is also exploring using the solution to deliver more efficient picking of online orders for its Click & Collect service, as well as enhanced replenishment to ensure improved product availability to reduce shelf gaps and out of stocks.

A digital makeover for DIY retail

Pricer will also feature its latest ESL for DIY, homeware, pharmacy, fashion and pet store retailers, HangTAG, on its stand.  This small format ESL brings new digital capabilities to even the smallest of e-labels, allowing real-time, dynamic pricing and promotions to be applied to single hangers and peg hook mounting.  It integrates with Pricer Plaza, Pricer’s integrated management systems solution, bringing in-store efficiencies and elevated customer experience to life within sleek and compact visual merchandising.

Digital signage that brings Retail Media in-store

As well as digitally engaging the shopper at the shelf-edge, offering up interactive ESLs that can deliver real-time information, offers and pricing, Pricer will also showcase its latest digital signage offers that help power Retail Media Network (RMN) capabilities.

Integrated shelf-edge digital signage and Smart Rail, the latest solution from Pricer that delivers a streamline platform for digital ad campaigns and promotions to run in-store alongside a product or brand, offer up new opportunities for retailers to tap RMN opportunities.  Already tipped as creating the third – and biggest – new wave of digital advertising, RMNs represent a £10bn revenue opportunity for retailers in 2024, according to Insider Intelligence.

To book an appointment to speak to one of Pricer’s experts on the booth (#6E18), or to find out more about how Pricer’s solutions can deliver game-changing in-store capabilities, visit: Pricer | The World’s Most Reliable Electronic Shelf Labels (ESL)

Millennials are the most likely shopper demographic to have their buying decisions influenced by Retail Media ads at the shelf-edge, the latest research from the Retail Technology Show (RTS), the industry’s leading event taking place on 24 & 25 April 2024 at London’s Olympia, reveals.

Original research of over 1,000 UK adults by RTS showed that almost half (47%) of Millennial consumers would be influenced to buy a new product having been served immersive, digital ads in-store, compared to 35% of average UK shoppers.  A further 49% of Millennials said that retail media ads delivered in-store helped validate their buying decisions when shopping brands they already buy from, helping retailers drive greater brand engagement and loyalty amongst existing shoppers.

With the global retail media market already being tipped to grow to £100billion by 2026, retailers are accelerating their Retail Media Network (RMN) capabilities to tap valuable new revenue streams, selling advertising to 3^rd party brands and agencies wanting to engage with customer audiences.  With Currys launching its RMN, Currys Connected Media, in December as it looks to grow ad revenues, Co-op became the first convenience retailer to launch a retail media offer in January this year.

As UK retailers accelerate RMN capabilities, RTS’ research showed that already a quarter (25%) of shoppers have been influenced by retail media ads in-store, rising to 40% of Millennials and two fifths (38%) of Gen Z consumers.  And this wasn’t just being witnessed in-store; a recent poll by Intellias showed that UK shoppers are now twice as likely to be influenced by ads served to them on the websites of retailers they already shop with compared with marketplaces.  This underscores the power of ads served by ‘trusted’ brands, with research conducted by ADvendio suggested 50% of consumers now want to receive highly curated, personalised advertisements and brand communications from the retailers they already shop with.

Matt Bradley, Event Director for the Retail Technology Show, commented:

“At the same time that 3^rd party channels, such as search and social media, have become more competitive and expensive, brands and retailers are reporting diminishing levels of engagement and ROAS (return on ad spend) from what were once lucrative engagement platforms.  With their sizable 1^st party audiences and shopper insights into their customer bases, retailers can open up new engagement opportunities for 3^rd party brands with ‘conversion-ready’ shoppers, making RMNs an exciting and scalable new revenue opportunity.”

New strategies for acquiring, engaging and retaining shoppers will be a key theme within the RTS 2024 conference programme, with retail Publisher and Author, Miya Knights, chairing discussions with leading brands and retailers on the Marketing, Customer & Loyalty stage on Day 1 of the show.  Holland & Barrett’s Director of Digital Loyalty, Jonathan Haywood will deliver a session on how retailers can build loyalty among price-sensitive consumers, while TikTok’s FMCG lead, Fred Fishlock, explores the role of the social media platform as an ecommerce tool.

Bringing together the brightest minds in retail with the most transformative technologies, the 2024 Retail Technology Show is a one-stop-shop for innovation, with 400+ innovators – from tech’s biggest players to fast-growth disruptors showcasing their transformative solutions.

To register to attend the Retail Technology Show for free, visit: Retail Technology Show 2024.

Asendia, a global leader in ecommerce and mail solutions, and ESW, the leading global direct-to-consumer (DTC) ecommerce company, share the latest insights from Shipping and Returns: Leveraging Logistics to Unlock Global Loyalty.

Key findings based on data from more than 18,000 respondents in 18 countries show customer expectations regarding the post-purchase journey – particularly regarding cross-border returns -are both high and varied.

The report highlights a number of key concerns customers have related to shipping and returns, and helps global brands and merchants understand how to meet consumer expectations.

The report offers insights into consumer sentiment regarding transparency around fees and return policies, charging a returns or restocking fee, and free returns in exchange for a subscription membership.

Show me the money 

Returns logistics can be challenging and expensive, therefore many retailers have begun implementing return fees in order to claw back costs and deter shoppers from making excessive purchases with the intention of returning most of them.

Overall, nearly half of consumers said they are willing to make purchases even if there was a nominal returns charge. However, Gen Z was more than 1.7 times more likely to accept a fee than Baby Boomers. Of the countries surveyed, India, UAE, and South Korea were most willing to accept return charges.

Joining the club

27% of respondents said they are inclined to pay for a membership if it means they can return their purchases for free, another 27% would pay return shipping charges. More than four in 10 shoppers in India, China and Mexico would pay a membership fee that includes free returns yet only 15% of UK, German, and Swiss shoppers would pay a membership fee. They would, however, pay for return shipping.

“In today’s global marketplace, a robust cross-border returns strategy isn’t just another box to tick, it’s a strategic imperative. Prioritising a seamless, customer-centric return process enhances satisfaction, builds trust, and ultimately fuels long-term success. Each market is a unique ecosystem, with distinct customer behaviours and preferences.”

Helen Scurfield, CEO Global Returns, Asendia.

“By removing the friction from cross-border returns brands can open routes to higher spend and new customers.  But global reverse logistics are complex and managing them requires considerable expertise. By partnering with ESW and Asendia, brands and retailers have access to our industry leading solutions allowing them to enter new markets in a matter of weeks and create exceptional customer experiences that foster brand loyalty and deliver revenue growth”, explains Nick Cranney, Global Logistics & Returns, ESW.

The report will be discussed by a panel of industry experts in an upcoming webinar, titled Mastering Returns: How Brands and Retailers can succeed in the Customer-Centric Era, launching on 3 April.  To download the report, click here.

Member price benefits are now available via Co-op’s own online shop, the retailer announced today, offering additional value and savings for shoppers via its Co-op app or website, and a further boost to the convenience retailer’s Membership growth ambitions.

It said it would now offer the same Member price benefits online for its member-owners as in store, with the added convenience of products picked fresh in the local store and delivered quickly and conveniently in the community.  Member prices are across more than 300 key lines and everyday essentials.

Co-op said it had seen the highest influx of Member-owners in eight years and earlier this year announced ambitions to substantially increase the number of Members from 5 million to 8 million by 2030.

Chris Conway, Co-op’s eCommerce Director, said:

“Co-op Membership is a different way of doing business, we are focussed on creating value for our Member-owners who are at the very heart of our business. Growing and innovating our online channels is a fundamental part of our approach, and we are committed to providing greater benefits to those who own our business, our Member-owners, with savings across an extensive range and choice of everyday essentials and groceries ordered through our own online shop.”

Co-op has plans to grow the number of its stores where its own online shop is available to 1,000 during 2024, and has ambitions to accelerate its share of the quick commerce market to more than 30%. In addition to its own online shop, Co-op partners with Amazon; Deliveroo; Just Eat; Uber Eats; a small-scale trial with Snappy Shopper in Northern Ireland and, autonomous delivery of groceries by robots through Starship Technologies.