RTIH AI in Retail Awards celebrated advancements in artificial intelligence within the retail sector at a sold-out event held at The Barbican in Central London on Thursday, January 29. The gathering recognized innovative contributions from companies such as Brarista, IBM Consulting, Foundit!, Quorso, Vusion, Sensei, Reckon.ai, EE, Walkbase, Globant, Riskified, and Goddiva, all of whom received awards for their achievements in enhancing customer experience and addressing key retail challenges.
The evening featured a drinks reception, a three-course meal, and an awards ceremony hosted by comedian, actress, and writer Lucy Porter. In his welcome address, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor of RTIH, highlighted the transformative potential of AI in retail, quoting Amazon CEO Andy Jassy, who referred to AI as “a once in a lifetime reinvention of everything we know, and the largest technology transformation since the cloud.”
Thompson noted a growing trend in which retailers are leveraging AI to improve operations across both traditional and digital environments. “We’re certainly seeing an increasing number of innovative, potentially game-changing developments in this space,” he said, underscoring the impact on customer experiences and various operational aspects such as physical stores, online sales, omnichannel strategies, supply chains, and payments.
The judging panel faced significant challenges in selecting winners, with one judge stating, “I have to admit, judging these awards was so difficult. So many that would have been worthy winners. And great to see how AI has moved firmly into delivery mode. Firmly into delivering for customers and driving huge innovation.” This sentiment reflects a wider acknowledgment of AI’s maturity and its ability to address longstanding issues within the retail sector.
The awards ceremony not only celebrated current achievements but also introduced the 2026 hall of fame entrants. This initiative highlights the ongoing evolution of AI in retail, paving the way for future innovations and excellence in the industry. The event concluded with an expression of gratitude from Thompson to the sponsors, judging panel, and attendees, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the retail tech community.
As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the emphasis on AI-driven solutions suggests a promising future for both retailers and consumers. With the rapid adoption of technology, the insights gained from this year’s awards will likely set the stage for further advancements in the sector. An in-depth review of the awards ceremony is expected to be featured in the next edition of RTIH magazine, offering additional context and highlights from the event.
For those interested, the awards brochure is available for download, providing further details on the winners and their contributions to the retail industry.
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