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Fynd Founder Sreeraman Mohan Girija on Scaling AI-Driven Retail
Sreeraman Mohan Girija, founder of Mumbai-based Fynd, is steering his AI-native commerce firm into European markets following a decade of rapid expansion across India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. The company, which recently secured an RTIH AI in Retail Award, is now targeting a 2026 launch for its London headquarters.
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VenHub Aims to Automate the Future of Retail
Shahan Ohanessian, founder of VenHub, describes his company’s smart store as the result of a vending machine marrying a retail shop. Operating as a fully autonomous, sealed unit, the system utilizes robotic arms to fulfill customer orders, aiming to eliminate traditional retail challenges like shrinkage and staffing costs.
Melissa Moore joins 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards judging panel
Retail trainer and podcast host Melissa Moore has been appointed to the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. Bringing over 27 years of industry experience, Moore joins a diverse group of experts tasked with evaluating global technological advancements in the omnichannel retail sector.
Melissa Moore on the retail tech essentials that actually matter
After 27 years in the industry, retail educator Melissa Moore argues that the most transformative technology is rarely the flashiest. While AI-driven back-office tools and mobile payments have reshaped the sector, she insists the humble barcode remains the true foundation of modern commerce, far outperforming buzzy concepts like cashierless stores.
Walmart’s Astha Purohit on the Future of Retail AI
For Dr. Astha Purohit, who leads Walmart’s enterprise customer privacy platform, the evolution of retail is no longer about human shoppers browsing websites. Instead, she sees a fundamental shift toward AI agents capable of handling routine grocery orders, comparing choices, and executing purchases on behalf of the consumer.
Warner Bros. executive Christiana Hawes joins 2026 RTIH awards jury
Christiana Hawes, the Senior Director of Retail Experiences Technology at Warner Bros. Discovery, has been appointed to the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. Her inclusion marks a strategic addition to a diverse group of industry leaders tasked with evaluating global retail technology advancements.
Entries Open for 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
The 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards have officially opened for submissions, seeking to spotlight excellence in global omnichannel retail technology. Organizations worldwide are invited to showcase projects completed within the last year, with winners set to be honored during a ceremony at The HAC in London on November 4.
Retail analyst Ben Miller joins 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards jury
Retail analyst and commentator Ben Miller has joined the judging panel for the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards. Known for his work in retailer strategy and global insights, Miller brings nearly three decades of industry experience to the competition, which recognizes technological advancements in the omnichannel sector.
Retailers pivot to agentic commerce as operational complexity grows
Retailers are moving beyond simple digital upgrades, treating the shift toward agentic commerce as an fundamental operational challenge rather than a mere technology task. Paul Sims, former Chief Architect at M&S, notes that the industry is transitioning from users acting as operators to managers who set goals for AI agents.
Retail Technology Show 2026 Draws Record Innovation Showcase
London’s ExCeL transformed into a hub of digital transformation last week as the Retail Technology Show returned, hosting over 450 innovators. The event drew senior leadership from across the industry to evaluate emerging tools in AI, logistics, and customer engagement, cementing its position as a vital calendar date for retail investment.
Retailers Pivot to Cost-Cutting as Employee Experience Takes a Backseat
Retailers are abandoning workforce engagement strategies in favor of aggressive cost control, according to new research from WorkJam. Surveying 150 industry professionals at the Retail Technology Show 2026, the data reveals a stark strategic reversal as rising labor costs force companies to prioritize bottom-line survival over staff retention.
Touker Suleyman Exits Dragons' Den After Decade on Screen
After ten years of grilling budding entrepreneurs, fashion mogul Touker Suleyman is stepping away from the BBC’s Dragons' Den. The 72-year-old owner of Ghost and Hawes & Curtis confirmed his departure to focus on direct mentorship and his own expanding portfolio of business ventures as the show prepares to introduce guest judges.
Figure deploys humanoid robots at Catalyst Brands logistics hub
Humanoid robotics firm Figure has signed a commercial agreement with Catalyst Brands to integrate autonomous labor into the company's supply chain operations. The partnership marks a strategic shift for the retail holding group, which manages JCPenney, Aéropostale, and Brooks Brothers, as it moves to automate repetitive tasks at its Reno, Nevada facility.
Swiss Grocer Denner Rolls Out 200 Cleaning Robots
Swiss discount retailer Denner is deploying 200 PUDU CC1 cleaning robots across its store network, marking a significant push to automate maintenance tasks. The move follows a successful pilot program and underscores a strategy to improve in-store hygiene while freeing up staff for customer-facing responsibilities.
Tesco and Denner deploy autonomous cleaning fleets
Retailers are accelerating the automation of routine store maintenance, with Tesco launching autonomous cleaning robots across 600 UK Express locations while Swiss chain Denner initiates a rollout of 200 PUDU CC1 units. These deployments aim to shift staff focus from manual labor to customer service and store operations.
Multiverse expands to Edinburgh, hires Amazon veteran for AI push
Multiverse has established a new technology hub in Edinburgh, extending its engineering footprint beyond London following a $70 million funding round. The workforce development platform has appointed former Amazon engineering leader Colin Mackenzie as its first VP of AI Engineering to spearhead the creation of new agentic products.
British shoppers signal shift from physical stores to AI-driven retail
Over half of British consumers now anticipate that artificial intelligence will effectively replace the social experience of traditional in-person shopping. According to a new report from Bambuser, this sentiment is even more pronounced among younger generations, with 74% of Gen Z predicting a complete transition toward automated, tech-led retail habits.
DSV deploys 100 Exotec Skypod robots at Venlo logistics hub
A fleet of 100 autonomous Skypod robots is now navigating the aisles of DSV's logistics centre in Venlo, Holland. The deployment marks a significant shift in the transport giant's warehouse strategy, aiming to bolster fulfillment speeds and management capacity for a diverse portfolio of retail clients across the region.
Andy Rigby to step down as East of England Co-op CEO
After four years leading the independent retailer, Andy Rigby has announced he will step down as CEO early next year. His tenure is marked by a notable financial turnaround, including an £8 million increase in underlying trading profit achieved through three consecutive years of growth across the firm's 200 locations.
MESHKI deploys Returnalyze AI to curb global return rates
Fashion retailer MESHKI is integrating Returnalyze’s AI-driven platform to mitigate the costs of global product returns. By analyzing SKU-level data and customer behavior, the brand aims to refine its sizing guidance and product content, shifting from reactive management to a proactive strategy across its 190-country delivery network.
VenHub Global brings autonomous smart stores to Florida
Florida’s rapid population growth and persistent labor shortages have drawn autonomous retail specialist VenHub Global to the Sunshine State. The company is launching its first commercial deployment in the Tampa Bay region, aiming to fill gaps in high-traffic areas currently underserved by traditional, staffed retail formats.
ShopAgentic Secures €1.9M to Automate E-commerce Infrastructure
The e-commerce front door is shifting from static storefronts to dynamic, agent-led interactions. ShopAgentic, a startup building specialized AI systems for retail, has closed a €1.9 million pre-seed round co-led by May Ventures and Greenfield Capital to scale its autonomous commerce architecture for global merchants.
Zalando Scales AI Integration Across Logistics and Consumer Experience
At Shoptalk Europe 2026 in Barcelona, Zalando Co-CEO David Schröder detailed a massive pivot toward machine learning, revealing that 90% of the company's site content is now AI-generated. The shift marks a fundamental change in how the fashion giant manages both its digital storefront and physical fulfillment networks.
Paris AI Startup Mendo Secures €12 Million for European Expansion
Paris-based Mendo has closed a €12 million Series A funding round to scale its generative and agentic AI adoption platform across Europe. Led by Ventech and Educapital, the investment follows a €3.5 million seed round last October, positioning the firm to help enterprises integrate AI agents into daily operations.
Why the 2026 World Cup's 22nd-minute break is a retail goldmine
Scheduled water breaks at the 2026 World Cup are set to become a synchronized digital phenomenon, as new research reveals that three in four Gen Z fans plan to reach for their phones the moment play pauses, transforming a technical stoppage into a prime window for real-time brand engagement.
Data-driven design is reshaping e-commerce packaging
Retailers are moving beyond basic shipping containers by integrating advanced data analytics into their fulfillment strategies. By treating packaging as a core component of the tech stack, companies are simultaneously optimizing logistics efficiency, minimizing transit damage, and refining the critical unboxing experience for modern consumers.
Beyond the physical key: How digital access is securing retail
Retailers are increasingly abandoning traditional mechanical keys in favor of digital access control, a shift driven by the need for better security oversight and operational efficiency. By replacing physical hardware with cloud-managed, keyless solutions, stores are gaining the ability to revoke access in real time and maintain comprehensive audit trails.
Whole Foods Market completes London expansion in St. James
Whole Foods Market has opened its sixth and final new UK location at 57 Victoria Street, marking the end of a rapid growth phase for the US-based grocer in London. The 7,062-square-foot site brings the retailer’s specialized fresh produce and prepared food offerings to the heart of the historic St. James neighborhood.
Retail Tech Roundup: Hanshow, Ikea and Tesco Lead Innovation
Autonomous robots and AI-driven waste management are reshaping the British retail landscape this week, as major chains deploy advanced digital tools to optimize store operations. From Tesco’s shift toward robotic floor cleaning to Ikea’s creative approach to food sustainability, retailers are increasingly turning to automation to solve long-standing operational inefficiencies.
Akeneo acquires PricingHUB to unify product and pricing intelligence
As AI agents reshape how consumers discover and compare goods, Akeneo has acquired PricingHUB to merge product data management with dynamic pricing. The deal, for which financial terms remain undisclosed, positions the combined entity to offer a unified decision layer for brands navigating the evolving digital commerce landscape.