Having delivered its largest innovation showcase in the event’s history, the Retail Technology Show (RTS), the leading event that connects retail’s changemakers and cutting-edge technology providers, welcomed 12,752 retail professionals to its iconic two-day event, an increase of attendee numbers by +28 percent year-on-year.
A show-stopping innovation showcase
Described by Charles Tyrwhitt’s Nick Wheeler OBE as “eye-opening”, the RTS delivered its biggest innovation showcase to date, with 400+ technology providers and innovators exhibiting across two buzzing exhibition halls. With the tech on display covering the full spectrum of retailers’ operations – spanning large-scale enterprise solutions to disruptive start-ups – the RTS once again turned Olympia into a one-stop shop for innovation. Nourished’s CEO, Melissa Snover, pointed to the sheer breadth and depth of the technologies being showcased this year, commenting: “there’s a huge amount of different people from all elements of retail, and some incredible technologies coming out”.
In addition to the abundance of tech on display, innovation was also celebrated at the show with the announcement of the RTS 2024 Innovation Awards, where AI-powered workforce solution, Orquest, was crowned as the winner at the BIG Retail Party on Day 1. With a record numbers of award entries, Orquest beat off stiff competition from a shortlist of ten other standout tech solutions, including Pricer, ProGlove and Shopopop.
And, alongside celebrating technological advancement, the RTS shone a light on the progressive individuals and leaders shaking up the retail landscape in its 2024 Retail Disruptors & Innovators report. Curated by Retail Insider’s Glynn Davis and his Advisory Panel, the report, which champions changemakers from across the sector – from industry veterans to rising stars and high achievers – named Vinted’s CEO, Adam Jay, as the industry’s top innovator for 2024.
“The Retail Technology Show is essential – it’s invaluable when we’re all sitting at home using social media, using tech and all of these things, but actually getting together to talk about tech – well, I can only imagine what’s coming out of this show,” said Holly Tucker MBE, Founder of NOTHS.
Retail luminaries lit up the RTS stages
The conference programme was aglow with insight as RTS headline speakers, including Charles Tyrwhitt’s Nick Wheeler OBE, Not On The High Street’s (NOTHS) Founder, Holly Tucker MBE, and former chairman of ASOS and CEO of MATCHESFASHION, Nick Beighton, took to the stage. They joined 120+ other retail leaders and luminaries, including speakers from Primark, Boots, Morrisons, Harrods, adidas and Nobody’s Child, who discussed retail’s hottest topics – from Supply Chain to Sustainability, to Leadership and Loyalty and from AI to Digital Marketing and Data – in standing-room only sessions.
“There are so many great speakers, it’s great to get an insight into what other brands and what other retailers are doing,” said Craig Ash, Managing Director UK & Ireland, Swarovski.
As well as featuring retail influencers, including Natalie Berg, Miya Knights and Oliver Banks, on the stage as chairs or moderators, the show’s focus on innovation and its reputation as a beacon of progressive retailing drew over 30 of the industry’s press and analysts, including Retail Gazette, Retail Week and IGD to the event.
Unrivalled networking
New for 2024, the RTS kicked off with a series of special events, which took place the day before the event opening, including a day-long, immersive Retail Media Networks conference from Scala, and London Store tours from Newstore, hosted by retail influencer Ian Scott, which explored the best examples of store innovation across the London retail scene.
With 12,752 attendees, the RTS once again delivered unrivalled networking opportunities, from the BIG Retail Party on Day 1, to meeting peers and prospects on the booths in the exhibition hall. As exhibitor Herbert Retail’s CEO, Claire Herbert, commented, “everything is about connections, and you don’t get the opportunities to make those same connections anywhere else,” while exhibitor Sensormatic’s UK&I Country Leader, Wayne Corbitt, pointed to the ability of the show to bring the industry together: “it’s an event that, unlike any other, brings all the right people – those decision-makers who want to drive their businesses and the industry forwards through the innovations that matter – together.”
Commenting on success of RTS 2024, its Event Director, Matt Bradley, commented: “Every year, the RTS gets bigger and better – with more innovation, more insight and more buzz about the event that is the foremost place to make the connections that matter. 2024 was another example of the high-octane drive and ambition, delivered not just by our event team but also by our community of supporters – from retailers and technology providers to industry influencers – that get behind the show and make it the must-attend, standout event in the retail calendar. With some exciting plans already in the works for 2025, we can’t wait to build on that momentum and start planning even bigger and better things for next year – watch this space!”
By the close of the show on Day 2, the RTS had almost secured a 100 percent rebooking rate amongst its exhibitors for next year’s event, which will taking place on 2nd – 3rd April 2025. To register your interest and hear more about RTS 2025, sign-up here: https://www.retailtechnologyshow.com/register-interest-2025.
